One of the skills that comes with experience for many Ohio drivers is avoiding collisions. Unfortunately, if drivers do not know how to respond in emergencies, car accidents could result. The passengers in those vehicles may end up paying the price for it, too.
Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Route 56. The first vehicle was traveling north when the second vehicle jetted out from a private driveway into the path of the other vehicle. In an attempt to avoid colliding with the second vehicle, the 22-year-old driver of the first vehicle veered to the left and into the oncoming lane. Unfortunately, that was the wrong move and it struck an oncoming vehicle.
The impact caused the first vehicle to careen out of the southbound lanes into a ditch off the shoulder where it ultimately landed on its roof. Troopers verified that the driver of the first vehicle succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene. Her passenger, a 44-year-old woman, was ejected during the crash. She suffered severe injuries and was last listed as being in critical condition. The driver of the second vehicle escaped uninjured.
The severely injured passenger may pursue restitution for her injuries and other damages through a personal injury claim filed against both the surviving driver and the estate of the deceased driver. If the evidence supports her contention that negligence caused her injuries, the court may award damages typically seen in other car accidents. Each driver would be responsible for those damages based on the percentage of liability assigned to each of them by the court.
