Fatal Hurricane-Related Crash in Tampa

Investigators say a dark traffic light at a Tampa intersection, which was not functioning due to Hurricane Milton, contributed to a fatal intersection collision.

When the officers arrived at the intersection of Florida and Palm, they found a 2005 Nissan Sentra had collided with a 2022 Hyundai Tucson, hitting the passenger side of the Hyundai. Police said the 55-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Hyundai died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 35-year-old driver of the Hyundai also sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officers said he is expected to survive. The 58-year-old driver of the Nissan was not injured in the crash.

Officers noted that the widespread power outages due to Hurricane Milton led to the area of the crash being dark, with traffic lights in the intersection not working. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said his department was deeply saddened by the death and that he hopes drivers understand they have to be safe in the hurricane-ravaged area.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of traveling safely, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. All drivers are urged to be extra cautious, especially at intersections, and to treat non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops,” Bercaw said in a release. “Let’s work together to prevent such tragedies in the future.”

Passenger Injuries

Injured drivers have the same needs and rights as injured passengers. However, mostly for emotional reasons, many injured passengers don’t exercise these rights and get the compensation they need and deserve. So, we should take a few moments and address these emotional issues and point out the need for injured passengers to partner with a Tampa personal injury lawyer.

Whenever possible, media reports, and even police officers, blame outside factors, like the weather, for car crashes. But driver mistakes substantially cause 98 percent of the vehicle collisions in Florida. We all make mistakes. Some are bigger than others. And, whether these mistakes are big or small, we must all accept responsibility for them. A close personal relationship with a tortfeasor (negligent driver) doesn’t change that fact.

This responsibility doesn’t include personal financial responsibility, at least in most cases. Typically, a car insurance company covers all such costs. Furthermore, in many cases, a third party, like a commercial alcohol provider, is financially responsible for damages.

In fact, in most cases, the only consequences for a tortfeasor are indirect, like a negative entry on a driving history or higher insurance rates. But these things would have happened whether or not a Tampa personal injury lawyer got involved.

Substantial Cause

Vehicle collisions often have more than one general cause. But, in most cases, they only have one substantial cause. The wreck in the above story is a good example.

The weather probably contributed to this wreck. Because of the power outage, the streetlights were probably out as well as the traffic light. So, the area was unusually dark. But this darkness didn’t substantially cause the crash. Other drivers passed through the same dark area, and they didn’t crash.

Additionally, the city may have dropped the ball in terms of stoplight maintenance. Once the city installs a traffic control device, the city has a legal duty to properly maintain that device. A Tampa personal injury lawyer must investigate further on this point.

If the light had only been out a few minutes, the city probably gets a pass, especially since so many other items needed attention at that time. If the city had received reports about the nonfunctioning light and did nothing, that’s different.

However, more than likely, driver inattention caused this crash. Quite simply, one driver didn’t watch where s/he was going and properly yield the right of way.

Compensation in a vehicle collision case usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

 Reach Out to a Diligent Hillsborough County Lawyer 

Injury victims are entitled to important financial benefits. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Tampa, contact Kobal Law. Virtual, home, and after-hours visits are available.

Source:

wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/1-dead-in-crash-at-tampa-intersection-with-traffic-lights-out-after-hurricane-milton/