On Sunday, September 14, a tragic crash in Minnesota left two people dead and four injured. Of the four people injured, two were children.
The accident took place in Murray County. A Chevy Impala traveling westbound collided into a Toyota Rav 4 which was traveling southbound. The accident took place at the intersection of County Road 3 and Highway 59. Highway Patrol reported that the impact resulted in both vehicles ending up in a ditch beside the road.
Kristen J. Boynton, who was 24, was killed in the impact. Kerry Schultz, who was 34, was also killed.
Both drivers were seriously injured.
Highway Patrol is currently investigating what factors contributed to this accident.
The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, a Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, analyzes the causes and contributing factors that lead to car accidents in the state each year. In 2013, over 77,000 car accidents occurred in Minnesota. Over 30,000 people were injured. The economic cost of these accidents total over 1.5 billion dollars.
How can these accidents cost the state and individuals so much money? Car accidents result in property damage, road blockages, and countless injuries. Victims and their families often face exorbitant medical bills, rehabilitative care, and lost wages. The state loses money in terms of Highway Patrol investigations, road closures and repairs, and in court cases.
Unfortunately, many of these traffic accidents could have been easily prevented. Aggressive driving contributes to many accidents every year. Speeding, driving while impaired (either from drinking or from lack of sleep), and failing to pay attention to the road all contribute to accidents.
The accident that occurred this weekend may have many contributing factors. When collisions occur in intersections, one or more drivers may have failed to observe road signs, or failed to yield or stop, when required.
In the state of Minnesota, driving at unsafe speeds remains the greatest contributing factor to traffic accidents, followed by drivers’ failure to pay attention to the road.
Until authorities have finished investigating the accident that occurred at the intersection of County Road 3 and Highway 59, we won’t know exactly what caused the accident. What is known is that the families and victims face a long road to recovery. Individuals who are severely injured in traffic accidents face traumatic brain injury, back injuries, internal injuries, PTSD, and whiplash. For many, these injuries entail years of pain and suffering and long-term rehabilitative regimens. While the children involved in this crash were not severely injured, one wonders who will care for them and their injured family members.
Oftentimes, families face these expenses alone, not knowing that they can receive compensation if the other party is found to be at fault or negligent. Families can be entitled to compensation and reimbursement, including money for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino, is a firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota devoted to personal injury law. If you or a loved one has been injured in Minnesota, you need a personal injury attorney committed to helping you receive the maximum possible compensation for your injuries allowable under the law. We’ve helped victims receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. The law affords a limited time to seek compensation for injuries. Contact us today, to learn more.