Many Ohio drivers have seen horse-and-buggy rigs on the state’s rural highways. Most, if not all, such rigs are owned by members of the Amish sect. While the state legislature has passed a number of statutes intended to protect horse-drawn buggies, motorists occasionally forget that they must share the roads with these vehicles from another age. A recent collision in Ashland County provides a reminder of what happens when automobile drivers forget that buggies are not like other vehicles.
The accident
A horse-and-buggy being driven by a man from Ashland County was headed west on Route 96 near Township Road at about 6:00 p.m. The buggy was struck from behind by an automobile. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the heavily damaged buggy and a Ford Fusion were found on the side of the roadway. The Fusion had suffered heavy front end damage. Police thus concluded that the Ford had hit the rear end of the buggy.
The driver of the buggy was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The driver of the Fusion and the juvenile passenger were not injured. No information about the speeds of the two vehicles or the cause of the collision was released by the Highway Patrol.
Evaluating the evidence
This accident may have several different causes. The most obvious cause is speeding by the driver of the Fusion or failure to pay attention to other vehicles. Another possibility is the failure of the buggy to stay close to the right-hand side of the road.
The driver of the buggy, like most people injured in such an accident, may wish to recover damages from the driver of the Ford Fusion. In such cases, an experienced accident attorney can provide important assistance, such as an evaluation of the evidence and an opinion on who may have been at fault. A knowledgeable lawyer may also be able to provide an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.