Deadly Residential Car Accident in Tampa

Tampa, Florida.  A car accident in a residential neighborhood took the life of 31-year-old Jason D. Plummer.  At approximately 9:37 p.m., Charlotte V. Sowards, 18, of Tampa, was driving a 1992 Cadillac SLS near the intersection of Wood Street and El Portal Drive in north Tampa when her vehicle collided with a 1992 Honda Civic.  The 1992 Honda Civic was driven by Jason D. Plummer who died at the scene of the accident.  Plummer had recently moved from California.  The force of the impact pushed the Honda Civic into a wooden pole.  Plummer was carrying four passengers:  Jean P. Flores, 17, Anthony Adams, 22, Daniella Campo, 15, and Alexandria Symbolis, 16, all from Tampa.  All four of these passengers were taken to local hospitals in serious condition.  Ms. Sowards had non-life-threatening injuries.  This accident is still under investigation.  Neighbors told reporters that they were not surprised by the accident.  A neighbor stated that people do not stop at the stop sign and speed down the road.

There appears to have been a stop sign at this intersection.  While this accident is still being investigated, accidents like this typically happen when one person runs a stop sign.  The investigation should reveal who likely ran the stop sign.  The death of Plummer and the severity of injuries to his passengers should not be taken into consideration in determining who had the duty to stop and who violated that duty as there is a possibility that Sowards may have had the right of way.  In that case, Sowards and the injured passengers in Plummer's vehicle would have claims against Plummer's estate through his auto insurer.  The reverse could easily be true as well where Sowards was at-fault for the accident resulting in a wrongful death and 4 serious injury claims against her through her auto insurer.  In either event, Plummer's survivors have a right to claim a $5,000 death benefit from a Florida auto policy.  There is a possibility that Plummer had been in the State of Florida for less than 30 days.  In such event, then Plummer may have had a California car insurance policy cover this accident.  There are a lot of unknowns here that the injured people and Plummer's estate need to consider and possibly seek legal counsel for help to determine.  There are situations where a Central Florida car accident attorney can help the victims through this hardship by giving legal advice as to what should happen with the financies.  There is a likelihood that the insurance proceeds will not cover all of the expenses of the injured.  A Central Florida personal injury lawyer can help negotiate the medical bills in order to achieve a fair and equitable result.  If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, please contact a Central Florida personal injury lawyer for a free consultation of your rights and responsibilities.