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Passenger Fatality on U.S. 301

Leonard Pasco died of injuries suffered while as a passenger in a car accident. This collision happened as James Diggins was driving his 2004 Oldsmobile Alero on U.S. 301 near Jordan Road when he struck a 1995 Lincoln Town Car driven by John Bryant carrying four passengers. Pasco was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The occupants of Lincoln Town Car all suffered minor injuries while Diggins had serious injuries. Police are investigating to see whether alcohol was a factor for Diggins. The driver of the Town Car is not suspected of driving while intoxicated and all occupants of the Town Car were wearing their seatbelts.

Photo by Steve Gaskins, FHP

This accident was clearly caused by Mr. Diggins' negligence. As a result, his passenger's estate has a claim for wrongful death against him. In Florida, passengers are allowed to sue the driver of the vehicle they are riding in for damages in the event that the driver causes an accident. This is the most serious claim involved in this accident as the 5 other people in the Lincoln Town Car all suffered "minor" injuries. Even a "minor" injury can have a significant impact on one's life. For instance, back pain from an accident can take an 8 hour work day and turn it into an eternity. Minor injuries frequently have some degree of permanency to them and people who have suffered them may have residual pain or discomfort for life.

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