A lonely stretch of road in Western Montana’s Mission Valley was the scene of an early-morning auto accident that killed one man and sent three people to the hospital recently. Several of the victims, including the man who was killed, were not wearing seat belts. One can only wonder if the outcome of this crash would have been less tragic if they had taken the time to buckle up.
According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the fatal accident happened around 3:00 a.m. near Ravalli. A 1994 Honda Accord with three occupants was heading northbound when it crossed the centerline of the road. It collided head-on with a southbound Dodge Avenger. A third vehicle avoided the crash by going off the road and striking an embankment.
None of the people in the Honda were wearing seat belts. The driver of the Honda was killed, and his two passengers were flown to a local hospital. The driver of the Chrysler, a 25-year-old woman, was also flown to the hospital. At the time this post was written all three were in critical condition. The two occupants of the vehicle that went off the road were uninjured.
Those who suffer serious injury in a car accident have the right to sue a negligent driver who caused the crash. If the negligent driver died in the crash, the lawsuit can be brought against their estate. The victims can sue for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other losses. The negligent driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying any damages, up to the liability limits of the policy.
Source: KPAX.com, “1 dead, three hurt in Ravalli crash,” Brenda Bassett, Aug. 18, 2013
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