Two lane roads have both solid yellow lines and broken ones. Broken lines indicate where it is legal to pass if it is safe to do so, and the solid lines let drivers know that it is unsafe and illegal to pass. Just because the lines are broken, however, does not mean that passing is safe. Improper passing — either over broken or solid lines — leads to many head-on collisions here in Missouri.
A recent car accident that killed three people and sent two others to the hospital has been blamed on improper passing. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Missouri Highway 13 at approximately 6 p.m. The 80-year-old man driving one of the two vehicles involved attempted to pass a slower moving car. When he moved into the oncoming lane of traffic, he apparently moved into the path of the second vehicle, slamming into it head-on.
The driver of that vehicle died in the crash. His 52-year-old passenger survived with injuries from which she will reportedly recover. There were three people in the other vehicle. A 20-year-old man and an infant from that vehicle suffered fatal injuries. The 18-year-old woman survived, and at last report, was in serious condition.
Even though the driver of the other vehicle died, the family of the other deceased victims retain the right to file a wrongful death claim against his estate, seeking damages typically applicable in deadly head-on collisions. Further, the two women who were injured may file personal injury claims. Successfully establishing negligence on the deceased driver’s part could result in monetary judgments for the injured victims and their families.
Source: kttn.com, “Baby, 2 adults killed in head-on crash in Henry County”, Jan. 30, 2016
