/rueziffra.com/Allan Ziffra SUV Rollover Attorney/ 10/12/2009
One child tragically lost his life and eight others were seriously injured in a sport utility vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 95 close to the Volusia/Flagler county line on Saturday, October 3rd. Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators suspect that a nearly bald tire may have caused the fatal crash. The vehicle, a Ford Explorer, was mounted with three different brands of tires, including a Futura Avenger HT on the right rear wheel that had a mere 32nd-of-an-inch of tread. After the tire separated, the sport utility went out of control, struck a guardrail and rolled over twice. Most unfortunate, though, is the fact that the vehicle was occupied by eleven persons, ten of whom were children, in a vehicle designed for a maximum of seven occupants. The SUV carrying the ten children, ranging in age from 5 to 15, did not have nearly enough space or seatbelts to safely transport the youngsters who were en route from Orlando to Jacksonville as part of a church outing out of the Orlando Gospel Assembly.
The only two persons in the Explorer wearing seatbelts were the 41-year-old driver and the 15-year-old front seat passenger. Terrified witnesses reported seeing multiple passengers ejected from the vehicle as it rolled on the interstate. Though the exact number of ejected persons was not reported immediately after the accident, the child who sustained fatal injuries was among the group of children thrown from the vehicle. The fatality involved a 6-year-old boy named Abimael Saint-Juste who was the son of the Explorer’s driver, Guerline Saint-Juste. Charges are still pending in the crash.
This accident is nothing short of a tragedy. Unfortunately, this event potentially could have been avoided had the nearly bald tires been replaced at the appropriate time and/or if no more than seven passengers occupied the vehicle. The legal team at the Central Florida personal injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra sees far too many incidents of accident-related injuries that could have been prevented through the exercise of reasonable care and caution. It is of vital importance that all automobile owners regularly have their vehicle serviced so as to keep it in sufficiently safe, road-ready condition. Though brake and tire checks are perhaps the most important standard inspection, it is recommended that vehicle owners have their car undergo a periodic bumper-to-bumper inspection. While it is expected that drivers desire their vehicle’s tires to meet expectations of longevity, it is highly ill advised for individuals to put the safety of themselves and their occupants in jeopardy by failing to replace exhausted, balding tires.
Vehicle safety is not limited to defensive driving practices while on our streets and roadways. Adequate vehicle maintenance is an integral part of avoiding an adverse incident on the road. All of the attorneys and staff members at Rue & Ziffra encourage and promote safe driving. Our firm prides itself on representing and protecting the rights of Floridians who have sustained injuries due to a third party’s failure to exercise reasonable care. In the event you or a loved one is ever in the position where you suspect you might need legal assistance, chances are you do. We urge you to contact our dedicated and supportive attorneys at 1-888-246-8613 if you have questions about your legal rights in the wake of sustaining an injury or losing a loved one. Likewise, visit our website at www.RueZiffra.com to learn more about frequently asked questions or to explore our firm’s experience and qualifications.
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