In Hagerstown, Maryland recently a collision between a commercial van and a passenger vehicle sent two people to the hospital. According to a news report, the van struck the driver's side of the car at the intersection of Oak Ridge Drive and Sharpsburg Pike. Emergency crews had to extricate the two occupants of the car. The two people, a male and a female, sustained minor to serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital. Officers from the Maryland State Police were called to the scene and investigated the crash.
A negligent driver who causes a car accident can be held responsible for any injuries or deaths that result. Negligence is simply the failure to act with the degree of care a reasonable person would exercise under the circumstances. If the jury in a civil lawsuit concludes that the defendant was negligent, that defendant may be held liable for monetary damages.
Personal injury and wrongful death claims may follow in the wake of an auto accident. If the accident resulted in serious injuries, the injured party may sue the responsible party in a personal injury lawsuit. The damages that can be recovered include loss of income due to time lost from work, medical expenses, loss of future earning capacity, disability and pain and suffering.
In the event of death, the family of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim and seek damages from the defendant. Damages recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit include loss of financial support and loss of companionship.