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On Tuesday, four people died in a head-on car accident on Georgia Highway 140. It was reported that the accident occurred when the driver of a Kia Sportage (a small SUV) went over the center, double line of traffic and struck an oncoming Buick LeSabre.
Sadly, Ralph Jimmy, the driver of the Kia, died instantly. There were three people in the Buick LeSabre at the time of the accident. The 81 year-old driver, J.R. Tucker and 82 year-old Margaret Crews were pronounced dead at the accident scene. The 76 year-old passenger, Jean Tucker, died on the way to the hospital.
The accident investigation has not shown signs that the driver of the Kia Sportage was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, at the time of the accident. However, the investigation is ongoing. Investigations are common in these types of cases because there is no one to ask, other than possible witnesses, what may have caused the Kia to enter the oncoming lane of traffic. Toxicology is generally taken in such cases and can take weeks to get results. However, when there are no signs that alcohol played a factor, the questions of how and why can some times go unanswered.
In Florida, the State of Florida has laws in place that recognize wrongful death actions, which must be brought within 2 years of the accident. In cases such as this, the survivors of the deceased could bring a wrongful death action against the at fault driver. In addition, if the passengers held uninsured motorist coverage, then recovery for damages may also be sought under that individual’s insurance. Wrongful death actions are pursued in order to compensate the family members that may have been dependent upon the deceased financially, physically, or emotionally.