Wrongful Death

The Florida Highway Patrol has Agreed to Pay $500,000 to Settle a Case in Which a Trooper Ran Over and Killed a Lady in Deland

Published on: February 23, 2022 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

On July 15, 2017, a 22-year-old woman sat in the passenger seat of her father’s Mustang convertible, as they drove back from a night of celebrating her return. According to documents, the Mustang was speeding 71-mph in a 45-mph speed limit on North Kepler Road when FHP Trooper Andrew Nunez’s radar detected it. Nunez activated his blue light. The father slowed the Mustang when he drove onto Lake Charles Road. The daughter got out of the vehicle and ran across the lawn as he drew to a halt. Joseph drove his Dodge Charger off Lake Charles Road, over the lawn, into a driveway, and back across more grass while she fled. Then the woman slid and was run over by the patrol car. She was seriously hurt and passed away nine days later. The wrongful death case was brought in circuit court in 2019 by the victim’s grandparent against the FHP and the two troopers who had since departed the department. The case was then transferred to federal court in Orlando. The FHP has agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement for her death five years later. Also, when a person escaping on foot from a trooper, the state agreed to amend its pursuit rules at least until 2024. The department has also agreed to mention the 22-year-old woman’s identity during trooper training. A new section of the pursuit policy will teach troopers to be cautious while using their cars to chase fleeing people and to avoid putting themselves in a circumstance where the vehicle may strike the pedestrian.

Speak with an experienced Miami Car Accident Attorney today!

Car accidents can result in significant injuries, and the amount of no-fault coverage required by Florida may be insufficient to cover your injuries. You may be able to get compensation for your medical costs, property damage, and pain and suffering if you file a personal injury claim. Are you still dealing with the financial impact of your accident? As a result, any damage, stress, or financial crisis caused by an accident must be addressed seriously and handled by skilled legal counsel.

Miami family cries for help in finding hit and run driver

Published on: June 28, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

Miami television station WSVN-TV has reported an urgent plea by the family of a victim of a hit and run accident which occurred on Northwest 32 Avenue in Miami, FL. The accident occurred on Sunday night when the victim , who was riding his bicycle, was bit by a motor vehicle that failed to stop after the accident. The victim, 44 year old Francisco Caro, died at the scene.

Miami-Dade police report that the vehicle was a yellow or gold Oldsmobile with right side damage and request that anyone who has any information on this hit and run, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. These tips are completely anonymous.

Should investigators find the person responsible for this accident, they may face criminal charges and be responsible for civil damages to the family of the deceased victim. A thorough investigation of the facts and circumstances giving rise to the accident may need to be conducted to solidify negligence.
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Homestead newlywed loses husband in car accident with Fedex Truck

Published on: March 17, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

On February 23, 2011, a man was traveling with his family from Miami to Chicago just days after his wedding when the vehicle was struck by a FedEx truck. Of the seven passengers traveling in the vehicle, three were killed. These included Brianna Chacon, age 10, Tatyana Alvarez, age 11,and Victor Chacon, Jr., age 26, the groom.

The groom’s wife was in Homstead, Florida, a Miami suburb at the time of the incident.

Presently a thorough investigation is being conducted in order to determine the cause of this accident. Should it be determined to be due to the negligence of the driver of the FedEx truck, the family of the deceased may have wrongful death claims against FedEx.

My sincere condolences go out to the family members of the decedents.

Wrongful Death Claims

The Florida Wrongful Death Act allows the spouses, children and parents of the victims to be elogoble to recover damages. These damages are in the form of economic damages for medical and funeral expenses, in addition to non-economic damages for loss of companionship of the family member and emotional suffering.

Wrongful death claims arise from an accident or intentional act causing death. These include fatal car accidents, medical malpractice, dangerous premises, defective productsand so on.

If you have lost someone due to the negligence or intentional act of another then it may be wise to seek the counsel of a Miami wrongful death attorney in order to investigate a claim and secure experts to establish loss.
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Miami-Dade College Student Killed in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

Published on: January 27, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

A 21-year-old Miami-Dade College student died and another pedestrian was critically injured when a pickup truck ran up onto the sidewalk, hitting both people, reports NBC Miami.

The truck’s driver, a 48-year-old man, had run a red light at the intersection of Northwest 79th Street and 27th Avenue in Miami-Dade. His truck collided with another car in the intersection, and then drove up onto the sidewalk, hitting two pedestrians. One of the two victims died at the scene of the accident; the other is currently at Jackson Memorial Hospital where he is listed in serious condition.

After hitting the two men, the driver attempted to leave the scene of the Florida pedestrian accident, but was forced off the sidewalk by another pickup truck, which rammed him off the road and onto the sidewalk. According to police, the hit-and-run driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

The county prosecutor’s office has charged the hit-and-run driver with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident involving death and serious bodily injuries, and DUI property damage.

In addition to the criminal charges brought by the prosecutor’s office, the driver may face a civil lawsuit brought by the family of the man who died in the accident. Known as wrongful death lawsuits, these claims compensate the families of those killed by someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior. Although no amount of money can replace a loved one, a wrongful death case can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the loss of companionship, which can ease the financial burden placed upon a family following a death.
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