Whether in Florida or elsewhere, motor vehicle passengers assume a lot of risk when they share rides with others. Since passengers are not in control of the vehicle, they must implicitly trust the driver to make prudent decisions and get them to their destinations safely. A woman recently found that out the hard way in Tampa, when the vehicle she was riding in was involved in a horrendous accident that claimed the life of the driver and sent her to the hospital.
Accident details
According to reports, the accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Feb. 22. A Chevy Camaro driven by a 26-year-old man was traveling along Causeway Boulevard. For reasons not yet determined, the driver lost control of the car on the 22nd Street S overpass, overcorrected and ended up hitting a guardrail and cement wall.
The 26-year-old male driver and his 24-year-old female passenger were taken to a local hospital. Sadly, the man passed away shortly thereafter; however, the woman was described as in stable condition. No word was given as to the extent of her injuries, and the accident is still under investigation.
Legal recourse
Should authorities determine the male driver was acting negligently or recklessly behind the wheel, leading to the accident, the woman can use that information as evidence in a personal injury claim against him. Since the driver passed away due to the crash, the woman can still name his estate in any civil suits she pursues. She will also want to work closely with an experienced personal injury attorney in Florida to help her obtain the maximum amount of compensation she deserves.