Everyone has experienced the frustration of being hindered by basic traffic safety measures, such as traffic lights. Many people would swear that on days that they are running late, they are guaranteed to get stopped by every traffic signal. However, despite the need for haste, it is imperative that drivers follow all safety rules. Failure to do so could lead to serious injury or even death. The death of a young woman in North Carolina, allegedly due to a driver’s failure to heed safety signals, could ultimately lead to a wrongful death case.
The accident occurred late one morning in early January. A 22-year-old female was traveling as a passenger in a car driven by her 24-year-old boyfriend. Unfortunately, the car was reportedly struck by a train as it crossed a set of tracks.
The female passenger died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the collision. The male driver was injured, but is being treated at a local hospital and will likely recover. Preliminary reports indicate that the driver went around the crossing arm intended to prevent them from crossing the track. No one on the train was injured.
The loss of a loved is always a difficult circumstance for family members to cope with. However, knowing that the accident was allegedly caused by someone’s decision to ignore safety regulations makes the tragedy seem that much more senseless. If the young victim’s family can prove that the accident was caused by the driver’s negligence, they could pursue a wrongful death case in a North Carolina civil court. If the court rules in their favor, they could receive a monetary award to help with expenses, such as funeral costs and other allowable damages caused by her death.
Source: wnct.com, Police: 1 dead, 1 injured in car crash involving Amtrak train, No author, Jan. 2, 2014