In Ohio and elsewhere, intersections are notoriously dangerous because they are located where traffic converges and crosses paths. Although traffic lights and stop signs exist to help manage traffic flow safely, some motorists disregard the traffic signals, either because of distraction or some other reason. When this occurs, it creates a strong potential for accidents, some of which can be fatal.
Accident details
One accident in Darke County appears to have been caused by a motorist disregarding traffic signals. The crash happened on Hunter Road at the intersection of Route 49 in Greenville Township. Just before 8 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 17, a 27-year-old man was driving a Honda Accord and failed to yield the right of way at the intersection. At the same time, a Ford E-350 transit van was heading through the intersection and struck the car on the passenger side.
An 86-year-old man who was a passenger in the van was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene. The 27-year-old suffered critical injuries to which he later succumbed at a local medical center. The accident also injured two others in the van, including the 74-year-old driver and a female passenger, 53, who had to be extricated from the wreckage.
Legal recourse for victims
The crash is still under investigation, but if preliminary reports are correct, the 27-year-old caused the accident due to his disregard for traffic signals. Although he also died in the crash, his estate can still be named in wrongful death and personal injury claims from the surviving family of the man who died as well as the two injured victims. Affected parties will want to work closely with an experienced personal injury attorney in Ohio to gain a full understanding of their rights and options and increase their chances of obtaining a successful outcome.