Four South Carolina teenagers probably had no idea that their paths were on a collision course on a recent Wednesday night. Each vehicle was driven by a 17-year-old boy when the car accident occurred. Two of the four teenagers died in the crash, and the other two suffered injuries.
One of the vehicles was heading south on the U.S. 17 Bypass when the driver attempted to make a left turn off the bypass. The other vehicle, a pickup truck, slammed into the passenger side of the car. Preliminary reports indicate that the pickup failed to stop at the red light.
All four teens initially survived the crash. The two more seriously injured victims — the pickup truck’s driver and a 16-year-old passenger — were taken to one hospital, while the other two were taken to another. Despite the efforts of medical personnel to save the lives of the two severely injured teens, they both succumbed to their injuries within an hour of the crash.
Reportedly, the other two teens — the other driver and a 15-year-old boy — suffered what were considered to be minor injuries. No further information regarding their conditions was known. The investigation into this tragedy is not yet complete, but police report that no charges have been filed.
It may be beneficial for the families of the two deceased victims to consult with someone familiar with South Carolina laws regarding car accident cases. Any award of damages in a wrongful death claim can only occur once negligence has been established on the part of the party or parties deemed responsible for the death of the victim. Any monetary restitution awarded may help alleviate the financial burdens brought on by the premature death of a loved one.
Source: myrtlebeachonline.com, “Car crash in Surfside leaves two teens dead, two others injured“, Elizabeth Townsend, Feb. 26, 2015
Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.