A trial is underway for a Florida man accused of killing a man in a car accident in 2015. The man also faces charges of driving drunk at the time of the crash. While the criminal trial is still in progress, the family members of the victim may be pondering — or have already filed — a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver believed responsible for the accident.
Prosecutors in the criminal trial say that a 42-year-old man crashed his vehicle into the back of an SUV on Dec. 12, 2015. The impact caused the SUV to cross the median of the highway and hit a minivan. Reports show that the man was driving drunk and speeding at the time of the accident.
A man was killed in the accident and three others were injured. The driver that caused the accident was not wearing a seat belt, but was not injured in the crash. Testimony in the case revealed that the man failed to call 911 and did not help the victims of the crash. He also allegedly didn’t stop his vehicle close to the accident site.
The accused claims he was cut off by the SUV and had no options other than to hit it. Witnesses from the Florida Highway Patrol testified that the driver’s attitude did not match the serious nature of the accident. A highway patrol trooper also claimed that the defense’s rendering of a crash reconstruction was inaccurate.
The driver has been charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of a crash involving a death. He could face a life sentence in prison if convicted of these charges. Should the victim’s family decide to pursue the wrongful death claim, or have already done so, the advice and support of a Florida personal injury attorney may be crucial. An experienced lawyer can work with the family to achieve the best possible outcome in a case. A favorable reward can help families cover the costs of a funeral or other personal or emotional losses.
Source: naplesnews.com, “‘A car jumped in front of me,’ driver accused of DUI said of fatal Collier crash“, Patrick Riley, June 15, 2017