Getting one’s license is often seen as a rite of passage. This milestone is a big one for many but entails a significant amount of responsibility. Exercising caution, consideration and obeying all laws while driving are important in helping to keep Pennsylvania roadways safe and car accident free. Overconfidence and lack of experience can lead to devastating outcomes.
The incident occurred around 8:35 a.m. A 17-year-old driver attempted to follow a curve in the road she was navigating and lost control of the vehicle. She crossed left of center and into oncoming traffic, striking a vehicle head-on. The 59-year-old man driving the other vehicle was not injured.
A 15-year-old passenger in the teenager’s vehicle was killed. Another passenger in the back seat, an 11-year-old male, was transported by air to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Authorities say that all of the passengers in both vehicles were wearing seat belts at the time of the incident. There is no indication that drugs or alcohol played a part in the collision.
In this tragedy, from a legal perspective, a wrongful death claim may be filed on behalf of the deceased teen, while a personal injury claim may be pursued for the 11-year-old victim. Both the teen driver and any separate owner of the vehicle she was operating may be named as defendants. A car owner is typically held liable for the negligent acts which resulted in the car accident and led to serious injuries or death. A Pennsylvania attorney can help families facing similar circumstances understand their options for pursuing claims against all appropriate parties for monetary damages within the civil justice system.
Source: stargazette.com, “Two highway fatalities Wednesday in Bradford County“, Jeff Murray, March 8, 2018