The winter months often bring winter weather for Ohio residents. This unfortunately means driving on snow covered and icy roads. These dangerous road conditions either mean staying off the roadways or taking extra precaution while traveling on the roads. Failure to take on this extra duty of care could result in a serious accident.
An icy road recently caused a fatal three-car accident in Ohio. The ice caused a 24-year-old woman to lose control on Ohio 571 and hit a pickup truck. Another vehicle then hit the woman's car. The driver of the truck died from the injuries he suffered in the crash.
The fatal car accident happened in the morning hours and it was reported that the woman believed to be at fault for the accident was also injured in the crash. She was transported to the hospital while the man driving the pickup was airlifted to the same hospital, where he later died. The driver of the third vehicle, a 37-year-old woman, walked away from the accident uninjured. The accident investigation is still ongoing at this time.
The next step is to determine who the negligent driver is. Depending on the investigation results, the woman who lost control could be held liable for the crash. Traffic laws state that motorists must drive according to weather and road conditions regardless of the speed limit. Therefore, it is possible that speed was a factor in this case. It's important for authorities to fully investigate the situation to see if any other factors were involved before making a judgment call.
If the woman is held liable for the accident, the deceased man's family may be able to file a civil lawsuit against her and seek compensation for damages. The man potentially died from the woman's negligence and his loved ones might receive money to pay for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages and other related damages.
The losses and damages associated with a fatal accident could life impacting. Loved ones often find it difficult to cope with the loss of a loved one and are not fully aware of all their options and legal remedies. Seeking guidance could help them navigate their possibilities and understand how a wrongful death claim could result in a monetary award.
Source: Pal-Item, "Union City man dies from accident injuries," Dec. 3, 2014
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