18-year-old woman upgraded to fair condition

An 18-year-old woman who was injured in a March 20 car accident in Tyler has been upgraded to fair condition by local physicians. The woman had been in critical condition for several days after the incident, according to authorities. Investigators said that woman was at fault for the collision, which occurred at about 7:10 p.m. at the intersection of Fifth Street and Golden Road.

Authorities report that the young woman ran a red light at the intersection. Her vehicle was T-boned by an oncoming vehicle that had a green light. The two vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection, and the young woman’s car was sent careening into a pole. The driver of the other vehicle was uninjured.

Investigators believe the young woman was blinded by the sun, causing her to misinterpret the color of the traffic signal.

Tyler emergency medical responders were forced to use the Jaws of Life to pry the young driver from the vehicle. She was transported by ambulance to the East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, where she remained in critical condition with head trauma. The woman’s condition was upgraded to fair after she spent two days in intensive care.

In this case, the at-fault driver sustained all injury, with the victim only suffering property damage. As investigators continue to determine the cause of the accident, though, several possibilities emerge that could allow the at-fault driver to collect damages, as well. For example, the woman’s vehicle could have somehow malfunctioned, causing her to plow through the light with an out-of-control vehicle. Similarly, the traffic signal could have been inadequately lit, a situation that would ultimately place blame on the municipality.

If the injured woman can prove that she is not at fault for the collision, she could be able to collect damages from the vehicle’s manufacturer or even the city of Tyler. Both entities are responsible for maintaining the safety and welfare of the general public; if they fail to do so, they become vulnerable to civil litigation. The victim in this case could consider suing for medical costs, along with pain and suffering, if she is not at fault for the actual collision.

Source: http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130322/NEWS08/130329946/0/Search