After a horrific crash in Altamonte Springs that claimed the life of her husband and 1-year-old son, it’s been reported that a 27-year-old woman has no memory of either the crash – or her family. 
That might on the surface seem like a relief to those who have known the immense grief of such a deep loss. But those who study traumatic brain injuries following car accident say such memory loss could be temporary. Or it could not be. Either way, this woman has lost the life she once knew, and it’s all due, allegedly, to the carelessness of another driver.
According to reports from the Orlando Sentinel, the couple was stopped at a red light at the intersection of state roads 436 and 434. The 35-year-old husband/father was behind the wheel of the family’s small sedan. His wife was in the front passenger seat. Their young son was in a car seat in the back.
Behind them was a 75-year-old woman in a Mercury Grand Marquis. It’s not clear how fast she was traveling, though we do know the speed limit on that stretch of road is 45 mph. In any case, she didn’t stop for the red light. She slammed into the rear of the family’s car, crushing it. The father and baby were killed. The baby’s car seat was ejected into the front seat and face down on the dash board. The family vehicle was propelled forward into several other vehicles, including a tractor-trailer that was also stopped at the traffic signal.
Those who called 911 described the scene to dispatchers as a “terrible, terrible accident.” One caller was asked how many vehicles were involved, and guessed there were between three and five. However, she couldn’t say for sure because “it’s such a mess.”
The woman who survived was initially in critical condition, but has since been upgraded to stable. Authorities said at this point, the investigation is still underway but no charges have been filed against the driver who rear-ended the family. That could change.
In the meantime, those closest to the victims have established a GoFundMe account to assist with funeral and medical expenses.
Those with traumatic head injuries often have a long, arduous road to recovery, especially when it’s so severe as to result in a total loss of not only recent events, but critical life memories.
Our Fort Myers injury lawyers know that half of all reported traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of auto accidents. More common in these cases are short-term memory losses. For example, a crash victim will be able to explain in great detail something that happened 10 years ago, but they can’t tell you what happened just 10 minutes ago. Often, these conditions can improve over time, but doctors know there are few guarantees. Many people suffer lifelong effects after enduring a traumatic brain injury in a crash.
These losses are compensable in court. For many people, there are significant medical expenses associated with long-term treatment of traumatic brain injury. Lost wages and further loss of earning capacity are also compensable expenses that victims may pursue against the at-fault parties and insurance companies. With severe memory loss, as in this case, there is also not just pain and suffering, but mental anguish and emotional trauma for which a person can seek recovery. And as with any loss of life, there is the potential for wrongful death litigation.
We recognize that no amount of money replaces these lives or makes one whole after such a loss. The goal is to prepare our clients for the next chapter. We also strive to hold accountable those whose carelessness, recklessness and sometimes criminal actions stole the lives and livelihoods our clients once enjoyed.
If you have been a victim of a traffic accident, call Chalik & Chalik at (954) 476-1000 or 1 (800) 873-9040.
Additional Resources:
Mom’s memory gone in crash that killed husband and baby, cops say, Oct. 22, 2015, By Stephanie Allen and Tiffany Walden, Orlando Sentinel
