RSSDriver Falls Asleep, Causes Deadly Crash in Gaston Co
Florida Highway Patrol say that a driver who fell asleep behind the wheel was the cause of a deadly crash. The Gaston County crash happened early on 12 December near the intersection of Dallas Cherryville Highway and Mauney Road.
The 33 year old male driver of a Dodge pickup was traveling south on Mauney Road – apparently while asleep. As he approached the intersection with Dallas Cherryville Highway, he ran through the stop sign and t-boned an oncoming pickup truck that was traveling east on the highway. The 52 year old driver of that pick up was killed upon impact.
T-bone accidents like the one here tend to come out of nowhere, usually caused by another driver negligently running a stop light or stop sign. Because there is little protecting you from a side impact, t-bone accidents tend to result in serious injury, or death. Common injuries include:
- Head injuries, including concussions, cuts and brain trauma
- Neck injuries, including herniated disc and whiplash
- Back injuries, including herniated disc, nerve and spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries
- Limb injuries, including broken bones and dislocated limbs
- Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains and tears
Most side impact accidents are caused by negligence. In the case at hand, the 33 year old driver of the Dodge pick up acted negligently by falling asleep. This act caused the accident and the resulting death. As a result, the other driver has the right to seek compensation for their injuries and losses by filing a Florida personal injury lawsuit. However, as in this case the other driver was killed, this right will pass to any surviving family members who were dependent on the deceased. This happens through what is called Florida’s wrongful death statute, a law that is meant to compensate close family members (i.e., spouse and children) for the loss of a family member who provided them with support (emotional and financial).
Wrongful death claims are complex and, as with any personal injury claim, should start with a phone call to an experienced Orlando car accident attorney. To learn more, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. and 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.