I just finished reading a Channel 2 news report about a tragic traffic accident that occurred over on the outskirts of Lakeland, in Polk County. Apparently, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies said that a 66-year old Lakeland man in a mobility scooter was the in or near the crosswalk of U.S. Highway 92 and Combee Road, when he was struck by a semi-tractor trailer driven by Thomas Davis, of Polk City, Florida.
The collision occurred at approximately 5PM. Apparently, Mr. Davis told deputies that he did not see the man in the scooter in the roadway before the collision. Investigators said that the disabled man died of “extensive trauma” suffered when the heavy truck ran over him.
Tragic stories like this one are difficult to understand. Unlike most pedestrian versus motor vehicle cases we get calls about, this one featured a pedestrian in an assigned crosswalk area. From what we know, it was still daylight, and the intersection where this Florida wrongful death occurred was clear of any obstructions. The intersection looks well-traveled, so any motorist in the area should have been on the lookout for other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and even scooters.
We don’t know what Mr. Davis was hauling, or how long he had been behind the wheel that day, but that information might be important in a Florida personal injury case. Hopefully, the family of the deceased, disabled man has the assistance of an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer.
