Residents in Alachua County that are injured or lose a loved one in a car accident where someone else has acted negligently may have a case for a wrongful death suit. While no amount of money can compensate for a life lost, monetary damages for costs incurred from a crash or lost companionship can be recovered by Alachua County residents in a car accident case. The family of a woman who lost her life in a two-car crash may have cause for such claims if the driver that hit her is found to have acted negligently.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on Dec. 13 at approximately 3:30 p.m. The 41-year-old woman was driving on Interstate Highway 10 near the I-75 interchange in Columbia County. She reportedly wanted to check her GSP directions on her phone, so she slowed down in order to pull into the emergency lane.

A Toyota pickup truck driven by an 87-year-old man reportedly entered the emergency lane simultaneously. The front end of his truck crashed into the rear of the woman's vehicle, causing extensive damage to both vehicles. After the impact occurred, both of the vehicles traveled onto a grassy shoulder to the right of the road. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup truck was transported to Shands Trauma Center in Gainesville and was listed in critical condition. Whether or not charges will be filed in this car accident was not listed in initial media reports. If the 87-year-old driver is found to be the at-fault driver, the woman's family may have a case to seek wrongful death compensation.

Source: The Daily Home, "Sylacauga woman killed in Florida accident," Emily Adams, Dec. 15, 2011