WTSB Tampa Bay reported one person was killed in a crash on U.S. 41 on Saturday, May 15th. The Florida Highway Patrol told the news outlet that two vehicles were heading southbound on U.S. 41 when one Vehicle attempted to pass another vehicle. Very limited information was available about the incident. Our thoughts go out to all involved.
It is not clear if the Driver making the passing attempt was going to the left or right around the vehicle. However, the pass attempt was not successful, as the passing car struck the back of the car it was passing. The impact caused the first vehicle to go off the west shoulder. The driver reportedly over-corrected and their vehicle overturned. The driver suffered minor injuries. The driver of the car that was struck also went off the roadway and struck a power pole. The driver died at the scene of the collision.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that the crash occurred about 6:45 PM, in the area of the Manatee RV Park, north of Valroy Road. Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. In this case, we do not have any information about the speeds of either vehicle. However, if news reports are accurate, it is possible that an unsafe maneuver caused this accident.
Drivers Must Pass Safely – And At a Safe Distance
Under Florida Vehicle Code § 316.083 – Overtaking and passing a vehicle, a driver shall pass to the left at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. If the passing driver caused the collision, he or she may be liable for the wrongful death of the driver. Passes to the right may be allowed, but ideally, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle. Every year, drivers are injured or killed by failed passing attempts. Drivers may be speeding, distracted, or under the influence – or simply driving recklessly. Unfortunately, almost all of these accidents are preventable incidents.
Understanding Liability After a Fatal Crash
If you or a loved one was involved in a collision involving an unsafe passing attempt, do not delay in speaking with an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer. You may have legal rights to compensation, however recovering fair compensation may be difficult without an experienced and knowledgeable wrongful death attorney. In Florida, and every state, you have only a limited window of time to pursue a compensation claim.
Compassionate Advocates For Serious Injury or Wrongful Death Claims
Before you accept an insurance company’s settlement offer, talk to a lawyer. The Coleman Law Group offers a free consultation to review your legal rights after a crash. When we speak with you, we will review your potential case and answer your questions. If we represent you, we will not charge any legal fees unless we recover money for you. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and are available to put our knowledge, resources, and skills to work for you immediately.
Sources: Tampa Bay Times, WTSP
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