An early morning accident involving three vehicles took the life of a 16-year-old St. Petersburg High School student who was on the way to school and sent four others to the hospital. Nothing is more devastating to a family than the sudden loss of a child.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident occurred March 18 as William Kent of Dover was driving a Ford pickup north on Gall Boulevard/ U.S. 301 in Zephyrillis and slowed to turn into a business. The Ford pickup truck was then rear-ended a Chevrolet pickup driven by Julian Tanner of Plant City, according to the Patrol.
The forceful impact of the rear-end collision pushed the Ford pickup into the oncoming lanes of traffic and into the path of a Pontiac Vibe. After colliding with the truck, the Vibe spun off the road and into a ditch.
A 16-year-old student riding in the back seat of the Pontiac Vibe was killed in the collision. The student was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the Pontiac Vibe and a 9-year-old boy in the front seat were transported to the hospital in serious condition.
The driver of the Chevy pickup was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, and the driver of the Ford picked was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
According to the Tampa Bay Tribune, charges are pending the completion of the investigation.
More than a fourth of all accidents are rear end collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They are responsible for a large number of injuries and fatalities.
A number of factors may cause a rear end accident including speeding, following too close, driving too fast for road conditions, inattention, talking on a phone, distraction or fatigue. In some accidents, one error can precipitate a chain of events that cause serious or fatal injuries to others. Serious injuries can leave an accident victim unable to work for an expended period and deprive a family of that person’s financial support.
If you were injured through the fault of another driver, the at-fault driver and their insurance company should pay for your medical bills or other losses. At Disparti Law, we can launch an investigation of the cause of the accident and hold accountable those who are at-fault for the accident.
Florida law recognizes the toll that the death of a loved one has on a family. Families do not have to carry that burden by themselves. While no amount of compensation will replace the life of a lost loved one, the law allows a family to claim compensation for the death of a loved one by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits are common after fatal car accidents and may relieve a family of the financial stress caused by unexpected medical bills and other expenses.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by the fault of another driver, contact an experienced, compassionate Tampa car accident lawyer for assistance.
