Three Injured in Two-vehicle Florida Crash

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a two-car crash left three people injured. The July 31st accident happened at the intersection of Highway 27 and Highway 98 in Frostproof, Florida. Based on the police report, it seems that a 35-year-old female was driving her 2000 Pontiac Sunfire west on Highway 98 and, while attempting to turn left onto Highway 27 south, ran through a red light. As she went through the intersection, she was struck on the driver’s side by an oncoming white 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by a 26-year-old male.

The driver of the Nissan Rogue, who was wearing a seatbelt, was treated at Florida Hospital Heartland for minor injuries before being released shortly thereafter. The 35-year-old driver of the Pontiac Sunfire, however, was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health, where she remains in critical condition. Her passenger, a 46-year-old male from Orlando, who was ejected from the vehicle during the crash, was also transported to Florida Hospital Heartland where he remains in stable condition.
Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Although the investigation continues, police believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

By failing to stop at the red light, the 35-year-old female driver acted negligently and her negligence caused the accident, along with the resulting injuries to the other driver and her passenger. However, it should be noted that any damages awarded the passenger could be reduced due to the fact that he was not wearing a seatbelt. If it is shown that his failure to buckle up was a significant cause of his injuries, then a judge could limit – if not prohibit – the amount of compensation he receives.

As to the other driver, who was wearing his seatbelt, because he had the right-of-way as he was approaching the intersection, he could file a Florida personal injury lawsuit against the driver of the Pontiac Sunfire. Through this lawsuit, he could seek compensation for past and future medical treatment, past and future loss of earnings and pain and suffering, among others.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a Florida motor vehicle accident, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries. To learn more, contact James O. Cunningham 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.