Earlier this month in Osceola County, one adult and one child lost their lives in a fatal single-vehicle accident on the Florida Turnpike. According to one local news source, the accident occurred around mile marker 220 at around three in the afternoon on Thursday, July 9. Evidently, the vehicle was carrying five occupants when the driver lost control. Investigators are unsure exactly what happened, and thus far they are guessing that either a tire blew out or a tire actually fell off the vehicle. As the driver lost control, the vehicle exited the northbound lanes in which it was traveling and entered the median, where the vehicle flipped over. The car continued to slide into the southbound lanes of traffic, where it ultimately came to a complete stop. The driver of the vehicle as well as his 15-year-old son both sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Three other people sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. It is expected that they will make a full recovery with time. Police are still looking into why the vehicle lost control, and whether some kind of manufacturing defect was responsible or whether the accident was a result of driver error. Single-Vehicle Accidents on Florida Highways While a large portion of car accidents in Florida involve multiple vehicles, it would be incorrect to assume that single-vehicle accidents don’t make up a hefty portion of all Florida accidents. The causes of single-vehicle accidents can vary, ranging from driver error to defective automotive parts to poorly lit or signed roads. Depending on the cause of a single-vehicle accident, those injured in the accident may be entitled to monetary damages. Of course, if the cause of an accident is determined to be driver error, the driver of the car will not likely be eligible for compensation, since he caused the accident. However, that would not prevent passengers in the vehicle from seeking financial compensation from the driver’s insurance company in many cases. In cases when the cause of the accident is a defective part, such as an ignition switch, tires, or brakes, the liable party may be the vehicle manufacturer or the last mechanic to perform work on the vehicle. The bottom line is that determining liability in a Florida auto accident is not always straightforward. Sometimes it requires the attention of a trained eye to know where to look. If you have been injured in a Florida car accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about the relevant laws and legal requirements. Have You Been Injured in a Florida Car Accident? If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Florida car or truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on another party’s negligence. However, keep in mind that these cases are usually met with significant resistance from the named defendants as well as their insurance companies. To learn more about what remedies you may be entitled to, and to speak with a dedicated Florida personal injury attorney about your case, call the Dean Firm at 352-387-8700 to set up a consultation. Serious injuries deserve serious representation. More Blog Posts: Deerfield Beach Accident Involving Car and Pick-Up Truck Kills One Child, Injures Several Others, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published June 15, 2015. Florida Hit-and-Run Driver Sentenced to 20 Years in Jail, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published July 14, 2015.
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