Portage County has experienced nine traffic-related deaths this year. A highway crash in Wisconsin has recently claimed the lives of two more people. The car accident occurred when one vehicle pulled out in front of another vehicle. The third person involved suffered injuries and was transported to the hospital.
The accident reportedly occurred when a 92-year-old female driver was approaching one highway from another. She failed to yield before pulling out in front of another motorist. The vehicles collided and medical personnel were called to the scene. The female driver was flown to the hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries and died following her arrival. The 85-year-old passenger in her car never made it to the hospital and died at the scene.
The 26-year-old driver of the other vehicle suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Authorities do not believe that either driver was under the influence, nor do they believe that speed was a contributing factor. The accident is still being investigated.
As the authorities continue to examine the fatal car accident, more details may become available. Should it be determined that the deceased female driver’s negligence played a causal role in the accident, the victim in the second vehicle, who suffered injuries, retains the right to file suit against the deceased driver’s estate, and any separate owner of the vehicle involved. Wisconsin law typically allows injured victims this path of legal recourse, in the event that a negligent party does not survive a serious accident. Moreover, the family of the deceased passenger of the first vehicle retains the right to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver’s estate as well.
Source: stevenspointjournal.com, Authorities release names of fatal crash victims, B.C Kowalski, Oct. 14, 2013
