Teenage Passenger Killed in Virginia; Driver and Backseat Passenger Taken to a Virginia Hospital
TV 10 and Wavy.com reported in early December, 2013, that yet another teenage passenger, a high school track star and graduate of Western Branch High School in Chesapeake (Joe Miller’s High School Alma Mater) was tragically killed when the car he was riding in ran off the road near Roanoke, VA. The accident happened on Route 122 in Franklin County at about 5:30 am. The victim had been continuing his track career at Liberty University in Lynchburg. The driver, 20, from Lynchburg, Virginia, and a passenger riding in the back seat were both taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The driver was charged by Virginia State Police with reckless driving.
The accident raises a number of questions about driver safety:
- Why do deadly crashes seem to happen in the early morning hours?
- Why do so many deadly car accidents involve just one car?
- Why do so many young drivers speed?
- What can be done to slow down teenage and young drivers?
- How can parents protect their children when they drive with other teenagers in their car?
The crash also raised a number of questions about the legal rights of the victims:
- Who can bring a claim on behalf of the star athlete?
- What benefits can the family of the star athlete recover?
- Can the backseat passenger sue?
- Who is responsible for the accident? The 20-year-old driver? The owners of the car? Her parents?
- Is the state or county responsible in any way?
- When must the claims be brought?
Contact Joe Miller Law for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident and has any of the above questions, Norfolk attorney Joe Miller at Joe Miller Law, can provide you with the answers you need at this difficult time. Contact him today by calling (888) 694-1671 and learn more about the legal rights and options that are available to you.
