A Bradenton woman has been charged with careless driving after causing a three-vehicle crash that injured two people and causes extensive property damage. According to the Bradenton Herald, 28-year-old Erika Churchfield was driving on US 41 in Bradenton when she smashed into the back of the vehicle in front of her, which then slid into a parked Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Community Service Van. The driver and passenger of the rear-ended car were taken to Blake Medical Center and Blake Trauma Center, respectively.
A police investigation indicates that Churchfield was driving north on US 41 in the right lane when the vehicle in front of her slowed down to make a right into a parking lot. Churchfield did not stop in time and hit the vehicle, sending it into the police van, according to reports. Churchfield’s vehicle reportedly sustained about $8,000 in damage, the victims’ 1998 Cadillac DeVille took on around $10,000 in damage, and the police van sustained around $2,000 in damage. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) says that there were no skid marks indicating that Churchfield attempted to stop her vehicle before the crash. The two occupants of the rear-ended vehicle were 69-year-old Harold Kraskey and 65-year-old Barbara Beauchamp.
The nature of rear-end collisions is such that many vehicle occupants suffer potentially serious neck and spinal cord injuries due to whiplash. In addition, some victims may also suffer facial and head injuries if their body comes in contact with the steering wheel or windows. Most rear-end collisions are the fault of the following vehicle, as they frequently do not leave enough space to stop in time, or are not paying adequate attention to the vehicle in front of them.
Have you been rear-ended or gotten in some other kind of auto accident? If so, the driver determined to be at fault may be held liable for any damages that occurred in the accident. You may be eligible to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The skilled car accident attorneys at Morgan & Morgan are experienced in conducting comprehensive investigations of accidents to properly determine who is at fault for the accident and who is liable to pay the damages. For a free, no-obligation case review, simply fill out the case review form on the right.
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