Fatal Left-Turn Collision in St. Petersburg

An 11-year-old local boy is dead, apparently because a turning automobile failed to yield the right of way to another motorist.

This wreck occurred at the intersection of 34th Street South and 15th Avenue South. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, an 11-year-old boy was a passenger in a southbound Honda. As that car entered the intersection, it collided with a northbound Chrysler as it attempted a left turn against traffic.

The boy, who ultimately could not be saved, and two other victims were rushed to a nearby hospital. The other two victims were expected to survive.

Car Crash Injuries

Each year, vehicle collisions kill or seriously injure millions of Americans. Driver error causes over 90 percent of these collisions. This error could involve driver impairment, like driving while fatigued, or disobeying a traffic law, like failure to yield the right-of-way. In either case, a Tampa personal injury attorney might be able to obtain substantial compensation for injuries like:

• Head Injuries: Vehicle collisions are the leading cause of head injuries in Florida. If a trauma injury, like striking one’s head on a dashboard, does not cause a collision-related head injury, the violent motion or sudden loud noise might do so. Both these events significantly disrupt brain functions.
• Broken Bones: Car crash broken bones are much more severe than accidental fall-related broken bones. Additionally, the recovery period is much longer. Frequently, surgeons must use metal pins or screws to set collision-related broken bones. As a result, these victims often face extended physical therapy.
• Exsanguination: Blood loss, usually from internal injuries, is usually the official cause of death in car crash fatalities. The aforementioned violent motion causes internal organs to bump and grind against each other. Since these organs have no protective skin layer, this friction usually causes profuse bleeding. In fact, many victims are on the edge of hypovolemic shock by the time emergency responders arrive.

Compensation for injuries like these usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Additional compensation might be available to survivors if the victim did not survive his/her injuries. Sometimes, these wrongful deaths happen almost instantly. Sometimes, the victims linger for weeks, months, or even years before they succumb to their injuries.

Liability Issues in Left-Turn Claims

Driver inattention usually causes left-turn crashes. Many people drive large vehicles, like pickup trucks and SUVs. Such vehicles often obscure sight lines. That’s not an excuse for failing to maintain a proper lookout. But it does explain why these wrecks are so common.

Making matters worse, the left-turning driver typically accelerates to shoot through a perceived traffic gap. As a result, the collision occurs when both vehicles are travelling at full speed. And, speed multiplies the force in a collision between two objects.

Failure to yield violates the Florida Traffic Code. As a result, these drivers are presumptively liable for the aforementioned damages. So, it is easier for a Tampa personal injury attorney to establish a prima facie case.

But that is only half the battle. These incidents usually involve the last clear chance defense. Essentially, all drivers have a duty of reasonable care at all times. This duty requires them to avoid accidents if possible. So, the insurance company often claims the victim had the last clear chance to avoid a wreck. That chance might have been changing lanes or stopping suddenly.

However, there is a difference between the last clear chance and any possible chance. Frequently, sudden maneuvers cause a more serious collision than the crash they might have prevented. In other cases, events happen so fast that the victim did not have time to properly react. 

Count On Experienced Lawyers

Car crashes often cause serious injuries. For a free consultation with an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer, contact The Matassini Law Firm. Home and hospital visits are available.

Resource:

tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2020/06/28/boy-11-killed-three-hurt-in-crash-on-34th-street-s-in-st-pete/

https://www.matassinilaw.com/deadly-bicycle-crash-in-sarasota/