Authorities in Ohio have reported that an Ottawa County accident on April 12 involving a car and a motorcycle claimed the life of a 59-year-old man. An Ohio State Highway Patrol representative said that the accident was caused by a sedan crossing into oncoming traffic after swerving to avoid a stationary vehicle in the roadway. The collision occurred at the intersection of Ohio State Route 2 and North Carroll-Erie Road near Port Clinton at approximately 12:30 p.m.
According to an OSHP report, the car was proceeding westbound on Ohio State Route 2 when its 74-year-old driver swerved to avoid a vehicle that was stopped in front of him. After entering the roadway’s eastbound lane, his sedan struck an oncoming motorcycle head-on. Police say that the stationary vehicle had been waiting to turn onto North Carroll-Erie Road.
First responders arriving at the motor vehicle accident scene pronounced the motorcyclist dead. The driver of the sedan suffered injuries that were not thought to be serious, and he was transported by paramedics to a hospital for treatment. The crash led to Ohio State Route 2 being temporarily closed to traffic as first responders and accident investigators went about their duties.
While mechanical failure has not been ruled out as the cause of this accident, collisions such as this one often occur when drivers are distracted. The surviving family members of people who are killed in these types of accidents may wish to pursue civil remedies when their loss was the result of another driver’s negligence, including a wrongful death lawsuit filed on their behalf against the party responsible. Compensation that could be sought may include funeral and burial expenses as well as other damages permitted by statute.
Source: Sandusky Register, “Updated: 1 dead, 1 injured in Ottawa County crash”, April 12, 2015