Motor vehicle accidents may stem from failure to slow down

A couple recently lost their lives in a tragic car crash in Kentucky. In addition, two other individuals suffered injuries in the collision. Motor vehicle accidents often occur due to the carelessness of a motorist behind the wheel — for example, a driver’s failure to slow down when necessary — which may be grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death claim in civil court.

The accident happened at around 11:30 a.m. According to Kentucky authorities, a sports utility vehicle was followed by two cars. The drivers of the SUV and the first car reduced their speeds when the SUV turned to enter a driveway. However, the second car ended up crashing into the first car.

The offending then went over the middle line of the roadway, at which point a dump truck hit it. The couple who occupied that car had to be extricated from it and died at the crash scene. Meanwhile, the driver of the dump truck and the driver of the first car suffered injuries and were transported to the hospital.

The injured party who was driving the first car may choose to file a personal injury claim in this situation, seeking the reimbursement of damages sustained in the crash. Even though the party who reportedly caused the crash — the driver of the second car — died in the collision, a lawsuit may still be filed against his or her estate. The lawsuit may also name any other person with an ownership interest in the second car. A successfully-navigated lawsuit in Kentucky might lead to a judicial award of damages that may help cover losses associated with these types of motor vehicle accidents, such as medical expenses and the loss of wages. Similarly, the estate of the deceased passenger in the second car may pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver, regardless of her relation to that individual.

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