On June 5, an 82-year-old woman reportedly died and two other people suffered injuries in a head-on collision near Columbus. Police said the fatal accident occurred on Diley Road in Pickerington at about 4:45 p.m.

A car carrying the 82-year-old woman and her 79-year-old husband was traveling north on the road when a southbound pickup truck that allegedly crossed the centerline veered into its lane. The resulting collision left the 82-year-old woman and her husband with injuries requiring hospitalization.

The woman ultimately died from her injuries at the hospital. Officials there listed the 79-year old man in stable condition. Furthermore, a 19-year-old person was also listed in stable condition at the hospital after suffering injuries in the accident; yet, authorities did not disclose the person’s identity nor explain how the person was involved in the crash. Police indicated that they are still investigating the accident.

There are numerous possible causes for traffic accidents like this one. For example, the police investigation might hypothetically conclude that the accident cannot be attributed to driver error, and follow-up investigations may reveal that a poorly maintained roadway was the major contributing factor in the crash.

If that were the case, the people who suffered damages as a result of the accident may seek financial compensation for those damages by filing a civil claim against the governmental entity responsible for the poorly maintained roadway. While the injured victims may retain a personal injury lawyer to file suit, certain family members of the deceased victim may file a wrongful death lawsuit. Claimants in both types of lawsuits must demonstrate the specific damages they suffered before receiving restitution from the at-fault party.

Source: Vindy.com, “Former Austintown woman dies in crash near Columbus -“, June 06, 2014