According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a car accident that took place at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 in Pasco County took the life of a Lutz teenager. A passenger in the car was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she was listed in serious condition. The accident happened a little north of County Line Road along Sunlake Boulevard.
While the Steinbrenner High School wrestler’s 2003 Nissan SUV was parked at the end of a dead-end street, it was hit with enough force to overturn the vehicle onto its right side. The auto accident was initially a hit-and-run crash; however, at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the crash, a 23-year-old man turned himself in to the Pasco County Jail. At the time of the report, investigators had not filed any charges, but the investigation into the car accident was not yet complete.
In some accident claims, those who were injured due to the negligent actions of another driver seek compensation, which is meant to pay for the actual costs associated with the accident, such as medical bills and lost income. With punitive damage claims, the amount sought may be much higher than regular compensation and is intended to deter the at-fault party and others from careless driving.
A Florida personal injury attorney may review the accident case to determine if seeking punitive payments is warranted. Once such a decision is made, the attorney may begin negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company for a settlement amount. If negotiations fail or do not provide an acceptable settlement amount, the attorney may bring the case to civil court.
Source: WTSP, “High school wrestler killed in car crash”, Tammie Fields, October 07, 2013