According to The News Chief, at approximately 5:30 p.m. September 25, 2009, the Polk County Sheriffs Office(PCSO) received a call advising that a tractor trailer truck and a PT Cruiser were involved in a crash on Highway 98 South near the Cemetery in Lakeland, FL.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office reported that, Shirley Cook Walker, 71,of Bartow, FL, was driving south on U.S. Highway 98, Lakeland, FL, in her 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser when for unidentified reasons. The vehicle veered toward the median, crossed the southbound lanes and traveled through the grassy median. The vehicle then spun into the northbound lanes before coming to final rest.
Angel Falcon, 55, of Lake Wales, Lakeland, FL, was driving the 1996 Freight Line semi north on U.S. 98, Lakeland, FL, when the PT Cruiser spun in front of the truck. The car was T-boned during the impact, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office stated.
Walker died at the scene. Falcon was not injured, according to the report.
Traffic was redirected from four lanes of travel to two lanes of travel as a result of the crash.
According to the 2008 Preliminary National Crash Statistics, 123,918 Large Trucks and 13,263 Buses Involved in Non-Fatal Crashes, 49,084 Large Trucks and 7,123 Buses Involved in Injury Crashes, 73,047 Injuries in Crashes Involving Large Trucks and 16,760 Injuries in Crashes Involving Buses, 74,834 Large Trucks and 6,140 Buses Involved in Towaway Crashes, 2,609 Large Trucks and 11 Buses Involved in Hazmat (HM) Placard Crashes.
According to US Department of Transportation Crash Statistics Report(DOT), in 2008 there have been a reported total of 3,835 injuries caused by tractor trailers. Although this seems to be a fairly large number, but the report shows that the total injuries have decreased since 2004. Sa far in 2008, there were no fatalities reported.
In my practice as a personal injury attorney, practicing in Polk County, FL, I represent automobile accident victims. In Florida, it is important to note that there is often a statute of limitations applicable to each case. The statute of limitations is the number of years the plaintiff has to file a lawsuit in the case. In a wrongful death case, the statute of limitations is two (2) years. For this reason, it is important to obtain legal representation early in the case.
