Fatal Accident Reported near U.S. Highway 92

This accident was still under investigation at the time of the press release in The Ledger.  The newspaper reported that the accident occurred at approximately 8 a.m. at the intersection of Swindell Road and Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland, Florida.  Westbound traffic on Memorial Boulevard was blocked.  The intersection involved appears to be where Swindell Road continues directly west while Memorial Boulevard makes a turn to the south west direction toward Interstate 4.  At that juncture, there is a short turn off between Swindell and Memorial.  A driver turning right from the eastbound direction of Swindell would need to stop and yield to oncoming westbound traffic on Memorial.  Persistent fog present in the area may have been a contributing factor to the collision.

In Florida, a wrongful death case occurs when another person's negligent actions caused or contributed to a death.  As lawyers, we call this a tort as it is considered a civil wrong.  An insurance claim or a lawsuit may follow a wrongful death.  In traffic fatalities, there are a number of statutes and rules governing such incidents.  Without knowing the facts and circumstances of this particular accident, it is impossible to decide whether one vehicle or the other was negligent.  Answers to questions such as vehicle speed and activation of headlights will likely be important.  If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in Lakeland, Florida, please contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation.  

The Ledger article referred to is located at:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20160202/NEWS/160209923?tc=cr&tc=ar