Each day throughout the nation, motor vehicles are involved in accidents of varying severity. In some of these cases multiple cars are involved. In other situations, motor vehicles collide with motorcyclists, pedestrians or bicyclists. While all motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries, those involving individuals who were not in a vehicle are often the worst and in many cases result in death.
This was the case in a Miami hit-and-run car accident that occurred earlier this year. A cyclist died after he and a fellow cyclist were hit by a car while riding their bicycles on the Rickenbacker Causeway. The two were riding near the crest of the bridge, travelling north, when the incident occurred. Immediately after striking the cyclist, the man driving the car left the scene. He later turned himself in.
As is often the case when the life of a person is taken through the allegedly negligent behavior of another, family members of the deceased man have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the car that hit the man. If they win the case, they will receive financial compensation for the loss of the man’s life. In addition to being a type of punishment, it often also makes it easier for those left behind to get things together to move on from the tragedy.
This is not the only legal action the driver of the vehicle is facing. He is currently in jail awaiting a criminal trial. He has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death and driving with a suspended license.
Source: The Miami Herald, “Key Biscayne man in fatal cyclist wreck being sued,” David Ovalle, May 8, 2012