A few weeks ago, a teen and a 56-year-old woman lost their lives in a three-vehicle accident in Flagler County, Florida. According to a report by Click Orlando, the accident occurred on Interstate 95 near mile marker 288 at approximately 5:30 in the afternoon. Evidently, a 2001 Chevy Silverado was traveling northbound on I-95 when it began to veer off the shoulder of the road. In an attempt to correct the drifting and get back into his lane, the driver overcorrected and sent the vehicle into the barrier on the other side of the highway. The truck became airborne and ended up in the southbound lanes. As the truck was airborne, it crashed into the roof of a car traveling in the inside lane of traffic and then with another pick-up truck. The 17-year-old passenger in the Chevy Silverado was thrown from the truck. He was taken to the hospital, where he died of his injuries. The driver of the car was also fatally injured in the tragic accident. The other drivers all suffered minor injuries but are expected to recover. An investigation is underway into what may have caused the accident. At this point, State Troopers do not believe that alcohol was involved in the accident. Criminal charges are pending the result of the investigation. Causes of Fatal Florida Car Accidents As the article notes, police are unsure what caused the tragic accident that resulted in two lives being lost. However, given the facts of the accident, it seems possible that the Silverado’s driver was distracted by something that caused him to initially veer off the road. Once a driver suddenly finds himself on the shoulder of the road, an overcorrection is a natural reaction. Distracted Driving in Florida Distracted driving is one of the top three causes of fatal car accidents nationwide, along with speeding and drunk driving. Due to the increasing prevalence of cell phones, the percentage of accidents that are caused by distracted driving keeps increasing each year. The seriousness of the distracted driving epidemic has led Florida lawmakers to pass a new law, making it illegal to text while driving. Texting while driving is one of the most common—and preventable—causes of distracted driving accidents. Under the new Florida law, drivers who are pulled over for another offense can be cited if the officer saw that they were texting at the time. Have You Been Injured By a Distracted Driver? If you have recently been involved in a Florida traffic accident that you believe was caused by the other driver’s negligent or distracted driving, you may be entitled to compensation for any property damage or personal injuries you sustained as a result of the accident. The law considers distracted driving negligent, and negligent drivers can be held accountable for their choices in Florida courts of law. To find out more about the Florida laws that allow accident victims to recover for their injuries, click here to contact a dedicated Florida personal injury attorney, or call 352-387-8700. More Blog Posts: Florida Court Explains When the Procedural Requirements for Medical Malpractice Cases Apply, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published May 29, 2014. Pothead Princess Claims She Can’t Remember Causing the Traffic Accident that Killed Two, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published May 27, 2014.
