While traveling the roadways, drivers need to be cautious and pay attention to what is happening on the road. There may be pedestrians, broken-down cars or other situations where a driver would need to proceed with caution. For example, if there is a stalled car, or a car stopped for some other reason on the side of the road, and the appropriate caution is not taken, it could result in a car accident. This is exactly what happened in two separate instances recently in Los Angeles.
In the first instance, a driver had stopped his car on the side of the road. While crossing the road, the stranded driver was struck multiple times by passing cars. A four-car pileup followed. Although none of the drivers of the other vehicles were injured, the stranded driver suffered serious injury and died on scene.
In the second instance, a car was stopped on the freeway after another car rear-ended it. After impact, the second car began spinning, swerved off the road and caught fire. The driver of that vehicle was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover. However, the driver of the car that was rear-ended had to be pulled out of the vehicle. After administering CPR, and trying to revive him, he was, unfortunately, pronounced dead.
When a car accident occurs due to a negligent driver, the non-negligent driver will likely be able to recover damages from the negligent party. Although cases may seem impossible at first, the extent of potential recovery cannot be known until the facts have been investigated, witnesses have been interviewed, medical records have been collected and the true impact on the victim and the victim’s loved ones has been determined. No matter what the circumstances surrounding the accident, it is always important to evaluate the potential options for recovery. Negligent drivers should be held accountable for their actions, and pay the injured individual, or their loved ones, the damages to which they are entitled.
Source: CBS Los Angeles, “2 Dead in 2 Separate Accidents On Interstate 5 in Griffith Park,” Nov. 19, 2012