Earlier this month in St. Petersburg, a tragic accident took the lives of three women, all related and all single mothers with children at home. According to a report by the New York Daily News, the women were all in a car together, driving around 3 a.m. in a Saturn passenger vehicle when they were involved in an accident with a Chrysler. The woman who was driving the Saturn was the aunt of the two passengers. The aunt was flown to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead after her family decided not to continue life support; her nieces were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chrysler did not stop after causing the accident and fled the scene. Police immediately began an investigation into the accident, hoping to identify the hit-and-run driver. Recently, the police issued a warrant for the driver and are hoping to apprehend him shortly. Once arrested, the driver will face charges of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and driving on a suspended license. Hit and Run Accidents in Florida It is sad but true that hit and run accidents are on the rise in Florida. In most hit and run accidents, the physical injury is worsened by the fact that the person who caused the accident in the first place has evaded the authorities and hasn’t been forced to face the consequences of his or her actions. Due in part to that reason, and also due to the reprehensible act of fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury, Florida law frowns upon hit and run drivers. Their victims can recover for their injuries as well as for their pain and suffering. In some cases, juries will even elect to assess punitive damages against a hit and run driver, increasing the accident victim’s total monetary award. The bottom line is that fleeing the scene of an accident and failing to stop and render aid is an irresponsible decision that the law punishes by holding these drivers responsible for their actions. If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, speaking to an attorney may help clear up some of the questions you have. Have You Been Injured in a Florida Hit and Run Accident? If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a Florida hit and run accident, you should speak with a dedicated Florida personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Depending on your case, you may be entitled to monetary damages from the hit and run driver and his or her insurance company. The dedicated lawyers at the Dean Law Firm have years of experience recovering for their clients and know how to bring a winning personal injury lawsuit in Florida. To contact the Dean Law Firm, click here, or call 352-387-8700 today to schedule a free initial consultation. More Blog Posts: Florida Court Explains When the Procedural Requirements for Medical Malpractice Cases Apply, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published May 29, 2014. Pothead Princess Claims She Can’t Remember Causing the Traffic Accident that Killed Two, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published May 27, 2014.
