There are many safeguards in place to protect people using the country’s roadways. There are traffic lights, concrete barriers and guardrails, to name a few. Unfortunately, in some cases the only thing preventing a serious accident is a strip of yellow painted on the road that can easily be crossed. Police in Wisconsin are investigating a car accident believed to have been caused by a man crossing that line.
In mid-October, police say a 58-year-old man was headed east on a Wisconsin road in a sports car. Reports indicate that the man was unable to successfully maneuver a curve, causing him to cross into westbound traffic. As a result, he collided head-on with a sports utility vehicle containing a 69-year-old driver and three passengers.
The driver of the sports car and a passenger in the SUV were transported to the hospital by helicopter. The driver and two other passengers in the SUV were transported by ambulance. Although the accident remains under investigation, police suspect that speed was a contributing factor.
Anyone who has had to go to the emergency room, even for a relatively minor issue, likely realizes the significant expenses that are created by being treated at a hospital. Long term treatment for serious injuries suffered in a car accident such as this can have devastating financial consequences. Those in the SUV have the option of seeking financial relief through a civil court. If they can prove the accident was caused by the other driver’s negligence, they could be awarded with monetary damages as allowed under Wisconsin law.
Source: The Eagle, “5 injured in Hwy. 60 crash“, Kim Lamoreaux, Oct. 19, 2014