A 17-year-old boy was driving behind a semi-trailer on the morning of Monday, Dec. 9, when he decided to pass the semi-trailer in front of him. Unfortunately, the small strip of the Oklahoma 72 near Coweta did not afford him enough clearance, and he struck the back-passenger door of another vehicle.
The compact car was driven by a 30-year-old Haskell woman and carrying 2 children. She swerved in an effort to avoid the collision, but the vehicle’s youngest passenger was killed on impact. While the 3-year old was pronounced dead at the scene, the woman and a 13-year-old girl were rushed to a Tulsa hospital.
The teen driver was also treated and released from a hospital in Tulsa.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol attributed the accident to passing without sufficient clearance.
CONSEQUENCES AFTER THE CRASH
Due to his age and the nature of the accident, the teen driver may not face criminal charges. Nonetheless, his behavior violated the implicit duty of care Oklahoma drivers accept when they get their drivers’ licenses, and led to a toddler’s death.
If the child’s family chooses to pursue legal action, they likely have sufficient ground for a wrongful death lawsuit. Filing a claim may help ensure that the family does not have to deal with the financial devastation of their loss, nor bear the brunt of the accident’s consequences themselves.
The victim’s family can receive compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Psychological testing and treatment after the accident
- Their child’s lost earning potential
- Loss of companionship and love
- Pain and suffering
- Other emotional losses
Because the driver who caused this particular accident is a teenager and may not be generating income, damages will likely be covered by his insurance policy.
Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts, so it’s essential for the family to recruit the right attorney.
HOW OUR FIRM CAN HELP
At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, our heart goes out to all those involved in the accident. We understand what the child’s family is going through, and we want to help them pursue justice.
If you know the family affected by this car crash, please pass our information along.
If you need help with a similar situation, do not hesitate to contact us at 918-492-7674 or request a free consultation online.