On Mar. 3, two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision on the Afton Bridge in Janesville. In the aftermath, the 55-year-old driver of one vehicle was taken to a local hospital while the driver of the other vehicle, whose information was not released, died at the scene. A 21-year-old passenger in the second car was taken to the hospital and reported to be in stable condition.
As a result of the car accident, Afton Road was closed to traffic for several hours. Police did not release the identities of the drivers nor the cause of the accident. However, they stated that they believed alcohol was a contributing factor.
When an individual causes a car accident through negligent or criminal behavior, any person who is injured may be able to claim compensation from the driver. Potential victims include those traveling in other vehicles, pedestrians or passengers in the vehicle that caused the accident. Damages recovered for injuries sustained in automobile accidents typically include compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, any out-of-pocket expenses and potential lost wages if the victim had to take a substantial leave of absence from work in order to recover from his or her injuries. When a person is killed in an accident, any surviving family or heirs may be able to recover lost earning potential and funeral costs.
Insurance companies typically will go to great lengths to pay as little as possible in order to protect their bottom line. An experienced personal injury attorney can often help victims of car accidents recover proper compensation. Having an attorney may be necessary to negotiate or litigate during a painful and difficult process for accident victims and their families.
Source: My Stateline, “One Killed in Car Accident,” Ben Hutchison, March 4, 2013
