Multiple Teens Involved in Florida Car Crash

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on July 24, 2018

A 15-year-old female from Lakeland, Florida was killed following a two-vehicle crash in Lacoochee. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the accident happened on Tuesday at around 7:00 p.m. at the intersection of US Highway 301 and Trilby Road.

A Ford Explorer, driven by a 17-year-old female from Lake Wales, was traveling west on Trilby Road. Failing to stop at a flashing red light, she instead drove through the intersection, where her Explorer was struck by an oncoming Ford F250 that was towing a utility trailer and was headed south on US 301. The Ford F250 was driven by a 21-year-old female. As the truck hit the Explorer on the left side, the Explorer spun around and collided with a fence before hitting two parked cars.

At some point during the collision, a 15-year-old female passenger in the Explorer, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the back seat. She was airlifted to the Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. The driver of the Explorer along with another passenger, a 15-year-old male, had to be extricated from the vehicle by emergency first responders. They were both taken to Tampa’s St. Joseph’s Hospital and are listed in critical condition.

The driver of the Ford F250 was not injured.

This accident will likely result in several personal injury lawsuits. First, the two passengers in the Explorer, could file suit against the driver for damages. For the deceased, this would be done via a Florida Wrongful Death Action filed by any surviving family members. However, per Florida’s contributory negligence statute, any recovery could be limited due to the fact that she was not wearing a seat belt. For the 15-year-old male, he could seek compensation for his injuries – including all medical expenses. Furthermore, the owners of the parked vehicles that were damaged have the right to seek compensation from the driver for the repair – or replacement – of their cars. Last but not least, the driver of the Ford F250 can seek compensation for the damage done to her car, along with for any injuries sustained. Although the report says she was not injured, she should go seek evaluation by a medical professional as many common car accident related injuries don’t manifest for days – if not weeks – after the accident.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a Florida car accident, you have the right to be compensated. To get the compensation you deserve, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. 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.