Seven people, including a pair of 2-year-olds and one infant, were injured when an SUV rolled over on I-40/85 in Whitsett, North Carolina (NC) on January 26, 2012. All the victims were transported to nearby hospitals.
According to Fox 8 News, the SUV’s driver said a semi veered into her lane a couple times, causing her to lose control of her vehicle. Witness confirmed this account but added that there was never any contact between the truck and the SUV. Investigators have ruled out alcohol and cell phone distraction as possible accident causes.
It appears some of the injuries incurred could have been less severe or prevented altogether if the driver and passengers in the vehicle had been wearing seat belts or secured in safety seats correctly and as NC law requires. Three people were ejected from the SUV because they were not properly restrained. They ejection injury victims were a 17-year-old and the toders, one of whom was listed in critical condition. Also, the driver did not have a valid license. She has been charged with failure to control, driving with a revoked license and not using a required child restraint.
If you are a relative of one of the passengers, or if you have questions about another accident in which you were involved, you should contact a car accident attorney in North Carolina to discuss your legal options. All passengers who suffer injuries in a traffic accident can have claims against the driver of the vehicle in which they were riding if crash investigation evidence shows the driver was negligent or reckless — even when passegers and driver are related by blood or marriage.
MH