Last week, a college student lost his life in a multi-vehicle crash on I-24 eastbound in Lyon County, Kentucky. The multiple vehicle crash occurred around 4:30 P.M. on Friday evening and, as a result of it, the eastbound lanes were shut to all traffic through the rest of the day.
According to Kentucky State Police investigators, a tractor trailer driver ran into the slowed to stopped traffic, causing a series of crashes that claimed the 19-year-old student’s life and left many others injured.
Due to construction work going on in the area, the traffic was slowed around the 51-mile marker in Lyon County. The statement of witnesses and preliminary investigation point to inattention on behalf of the man driving the tractor trailer. This is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.
The victim who was from Norton, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was travelling in a van shared by several other passengers. The crash affected about 22 people with varied degrees of injury and two of them were reported to be critically injured. People were both airlifted and transported via EMS by ground to different hospitals for treatment. KSP is investigating the case.
Driver distraction while behind the wheel can be catastrophic. Distraction can occur when the driver diverts their attention away from the activity of safe driving to focus on some other task. Any kind of non-driving activity a person commits while driving is a potential distraction, putting oneself and others in danger on the road.
Almost all states have their own laws against distracted driving and pursue a variety of strategies in punishing such cases, ranging from ticketing for violations to bans on distractions. However, distraction can also cause accidents, life-threatening injuries or even loss of life, like in the above case. It can be used as proof of someone’s negligence in lawsuits stemming from an accident and the negligent driver can be held liable for the damages caused out of negligence.
The victim may file a personal injury lawsuit against the person at fault claiming compensation for medical expenses and other damages like lost wages and pain and suffering. In case of death, the family members of the deceased can sue a wrongful death lawsuit against the person at fault and reimbursement against damages like funeral expenses and loss of society and companionship can be recovered. If you or any family member of yours is going through such an ordeal, you may seek assistance of a legal professional who may guide you in filing a lawsuit based on facts of your case.