RSSFamily Vacation to Florida Turns Tragic
A fun Florida family vacation quickly turned into a tragedy when a family of three’s SUV veered off the road and into a tree. The single-vehicle crash, which happened on Interstate 95 near the International Golf Parkway and St. Augustine, left a 32 year old mother and her four year old son dead. The father, age 37, remains in critical condition at a nearby Florida hospital. A fourth person in the vehicle, identified as a 42 year old aunt, is being treated for minor injuries.
According to St Johns County Fire and Rescue, the vehicle was traveling northbound when, for yet unknown reasons, it left the road, hit a tree and flipped over onto its side. When emergency responders arrived they found all four victims trapped inside.
Although what caused this family’s SUV to suddenly veer off the interstate and into a tree is unknown, one can guess. On the one hand, fault could be on the driver – perhaps they fell asleep or were distracted by a phone or another passenger? Another possibility is that something happened with the car itself or, more common, one of its tires. For example, a blown tire or a mechanical problem with the steering apparatus could both easily have caused an SUV to swerve off the road. Furthermore, SUVs have been known to be susceptible to rolling over when a driver makes a quick swerve.
If the cause of the accident was a defect in the tires or in the vehicle itself, the surviving family members could have grounds to file a products liability and/or wrongful death claim against the manufacturer (or, if the defect is the result of improper maintenance, against the maintenance company). According to Florida law, if one is injured as the result of a defective product, one has the legal right to seek compensation against the manufacturer for their injuries. If, as in the case at hand, one is killed as a result of the defect, then Florida’s wrongful death statute may apply.
To learn more about how Florida’s product liability or wrongful death claim could pertain to your case, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. to schedule your free initial consultation today.
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.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.