An 82-year-old woman recently spoke with reporters about an accident that nearly cost her life. She and another woman were passengers in a vehicle driven by her daughter. The woman said they were returning home after a basketball game when another vehicle suddenly crashed into them head-on.
All three survived their injuries, although two suffered life-threatening problems. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle did not survive the collision. The woman lay unconscious for two days in the hospital. She and the other woman suffered multiple fractures, lacerations of the liver and heart injuries. After months of rehab, the 82-year-old was finally released to go home and says her friend is scheduled to be released soon.
Holding reckless drivers accountable for their actions
The woman knew she was in bad shape when she woke up in the hospital and wondered whether she even wanted to survive because she knew how difficult recovery would be. When another person’s reckless or careless behavior causes a collision that results in catastrophic injuries, a recovering victim may seek restitution by filing a claim in civil court. Most people retain personal injury attorneys to represent them during litigation.
To prove an injury claim, several elements must be satisfied. A plaintiff must prove that the defendant failed to fulfill a duty of care, that this failure caused the accident and that damages occurred because of it. When a judge rules in favor of a plaintiff, compensation is typically awarded. Many recovering victims use such awards to help alleviate financial distress that occurs because of a car accident.