In the wake of a fatal single-vehicle accident, grief and confusion often cloud the minds of surviving family members. While it may seem straightforward to assign blame solely to the driver of the vehicle, the legal landscape surrounding such accidents can be more complex than meets the eye. In some cases there are parties aside from the motorist who might bear legal liability.
A Sarasota man who was riding as a passenger in a pickup truck died, and the driver of the vehicle was injured, when the pickup hit a guardrail in Eastern Sarasota County and overturned. Though police did not immediately cite a cause for the accident, there are several potential explanations aside from driver negligence, such as:
- Vehicle defect — Sometimes, the vehicle itself may be at fault due to defects or malfunctions. Defective brakes, faulty tires, steering system failures, or other mechanical issues can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a fatal accident. In such cases, the manufacturer, distributor or retailer of the defective vehicle or component might be required to pay damages in a product liability claim.
- Government negligence — Poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage or obstructed visibility can also contribute to single-car accidents. If the crash occurred due to the negligence of a government entity responsible for road maintenance or design, such as the city, county or state, the entity may be held liable in a personal injury or wrongful death action. Claims against government entities often involve specific legal procedures and deadlines, so it's crucial to seek legal guidance promptly.
- Careless third party — In some instances, a third party's actions or omissions may contribute to a single-car wrongful death accident. For example, if another driver's reckless behavior caused the victim's vehicle to swerve off the road, the negligent driver may be held legally accountable for the resulting tragedy. Similarly, if a property owner's negligence (such as failing to maintain a safe premises) leads to an accident, they may be held accountable for wrongful death.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a single-vehicle crash, don’t automatically assume that there is no possibility of legal relief in a wrongful death claim. At Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh in Sarasota, we will take the time to determine exactly what led up to the accident. If someone besides the victim contributed to the tragedy, our firm will fight to hold that party accountable. For a free consultation with a determined Florida injury attorney, please call 941-954-1234 or contact us online.