Two Injured, One Dead When Driver Blows Red Light in Jacksonville

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on December 7, 2016

A teenager was killed following a multi-car accident in Jacksonville. The accident happened at the intersection of St John’s Bluff and Beach Boulevard, one of the city’s busiest crossroads. In addition to the teen, two others were taken to the hospital for life threatening injuries where they remain in serious condition.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the accident was caused when a Nissan minivan ran through a red light while travelling at a very high rate of speed. As it crossed the intersection, the van lost control and jumped the curb, where it slammed into a white Honda Accord that was sitting at the light. The Accord was pushed into the next lane, where both the van and the Accord were then hit again, first by a Lexus and then by a large tanker truck.

The minivan was driven by a 39 year old female, who was one of the injured being treated at the hospital for life threatening conditions. The Honda was driven by the 18 year old male, who later died at the hospital from his injuries. There was also a 16 year old female passenger with him. She remains in life threatening conditions at the hospital. According to the Sheriff’s report, the driver of the Lexus and the tanker truck were not hurt, although their vehicles were severely damaged.

Although the investigation is ongoing, at this point the Jacksonville Sheriff Department has ruled out the involvement of drugs or alcohol. As such, it is most likely that either the driver ran the red light because a) they were not paying attention or b) they purposely sped up to try to ‘beat the light’. Either way, this is a clear example of reckless driving. Because this reckless driving caused the injury and death of others, they can be held liable for the two teen’s loses. For the 16 year old female, she can file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for her injuries. For the 18 year old male who was killed, his surviving family may be able to file a wrongful death suit on his behalf.

To learn more about Florida’s personal injury laws and how they may impact your case, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today and schedule your free initial consultation.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.