According to the latest news reports, the saga of the car accident that involved tennis star Venus Williams isn’t over yet. The accident resulted in the death of a 78-year-old Jerome Barson, and the victim’s family has filed a wrongful death suit against the tennis star for negligence. The civil suit followed an official police report that placed the blame on Williams.
On June 9, 2017 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Williams was driving northbound through an intersection in her 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The police report cited Williams saying afterwards that she was trying to get through, but other traffic forced her to stop in the median of the intersection. She didn’t see the Barsons’ car as she tried to make her way through. She was also driving slowly at just 5 mph.
According to the victim’s wife Linda Barson who was driving their 2016 Hyundai Accent, she was heading west on the right lane as she approached the intersection. The light had turned green when she drove through. Linda reported that Williams suddenly cut across her and there was no time to avoid crashing into the SUV.
The police report determined that Williams was at fault for the car accident. No mention was made about driving under the influence or about being distracted by any electronic device. Car accident cases can turn serious fast and sometimes they can spiral out of control. If you are in this situation make sure you call a car accident lawyer in San Diego for assistance.
Injuries From the Accident
Jerome Barson suffered from multiple injuries including head trauma, and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. He required multiple surgeries but he eventually passed away due to the severity of the injuries.
His wife Linda was severely injured as well, though she is expected to survive the ordeal. However, she is reportedly wracked with grief over the passing of her husband, to whom she has been married for 35 years.
These types of injuries are common for such car accidents. The injuries can be severe even when the cars involved were not traveling in high speeds. Broadside impacts can result in serious damages because the door of the vehicle can cave in, and that’s especially true for those in the passenger’s seat like Jerome Barson.
Legalities For the Injury Case
The report has no mention of Williams being cited for any criminal wrongdoing. However, despite the absence of any criminal charges the Barson family has every right to file a civil suit against the tennis star. Their case alleged negligence on the part of Williams and it has been bolstered by the police report that placed the blame squarely on the tennis player.
This type of case is not that unusual, because a grieving family has options in seeking damages when loved ones die or are severely hurt in a car accident. Medical expenses can be financially devastating, and any resulting compensation or settlement can help cover the hospitalization costs, medical bills, and funeral expenses. The damage may also cover any lost future income along with pain and suffering and the loss of the loved one.
If you or a family member has been involved in a serious car crash, we strongly encourage you to talk to us to find out what your legal options are. You may have enough justification to file a wrongful death suit.