In Manatee County, one driver’s alleged negligence led to serious injuries for one motorcyclist and his passenger and shows how just a moment’s lack of attention can have devastating results. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, a car driven by a 71-year-old woman ran a stop sign before striking a motorcycle at 61st Street East and U.S. 41 around 3:30 p.m. The 52-year-old motorcyclist and his 50-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Bradenton’s Blake Medical Center. The driver of the car was not injured in the car accident. But, she was cited for running a stop sign.
This accident shows how a driver can fail to exercise due care in failing to yield the right of way to another motorist, in this case a motorcyclist. Similar types of accidents can be prevented if car drivers pay attention to driving and simply obey traffic laws. In this case, the driver could face criminal charges and be held liable by the injury victims via a civil lawsuit.
The victims of this or any car accident involving driver negligence can use the results of any traffic investigation in filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. As plaintiffs, they will have to prove in court that the defendant’s negligence was a direct cause of the crash. The plaintiffs could claim that the driver’s failure to yield led to the accident and their injuries. A lawsuit would also allow the victims to seek compensation for their losses from medical expenses and lost wages, as well as be awarded damages for pain and suffering. In Florida, any resident who has been injured in a car accident has the right to attempt to obtain compensation if the mishap was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Source: Heraldtribune.com, “Two serious injured in collision near Palmetto,” Jan. 12, 2014
