Articles Posted in Automobile Accidents

After being involved in a serious car accident, physical recovery is often first and foremost on an accident victim’s mind. However, even after the initial stages of physical recovery are complete, the lasting effects of serious trauma to the body are not likely to ever go away.

Whether an accident victim sustains such serious harm that they are left paralyzed, or they are one of the lucky ones and are only left with lingering pain, the fact is that the repercussions of a serious accident are something that must be dealt with for the rest of an accident victim’s life. It is for this reason that Florida does not cap the damages that can be recovered for an accident victim’s future care.

Potential Damages After a Florida Car Accident

There are several types of damages that are available to an injured Florida accident victim if he or she is able to substantiate a claim in a court of law. First, and most common, is compensation for medical expenses. This award may cover both past and future medical expenses, but it is not limited to doctor’s visits or necessary surgeries. In some cases, accident victims are able to recover the costs needed to retrofit their home so that it is more accommodating for someone with significant physical limitations. For example, wheelchair ramps and kitchen and bathroom remodeling may be necessary.

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Earlier this month, a police officer was struck by a passing motorist as he was responding to an accident on the side of the highway. According to one local news report, the police officer was responding to an accident around 62nd Street on Interstate 95 around 4:30 on a Thursday morning.

After the officer was hit, he was immediately taken to Ryder Trauma Center and admitted with serious but non-life threatening injuries. He was released later on that day and described his injuries as getting a little “banged up.” At the time of the article’s publication, it is not clear whether the driver who struck the police officer will be facing any charges.

Florida’s “Move Over Law”

Police, firefighters, and other emergency responders put themselves at risk every day simply by doing their job. When they pull off the side of the highway to investigate a traffic violation or assist in the aftermath of an accident, they are mere feet from vehicles traveling at highway speeds. In fact, accidents occurring on the side of the highway have increased dramatically over the past several years. This increase has led the Florida legislature to pass what has become known as the “Move Over Law,” requiring motorists move over for emergency vehicles when they are pulled off on the side of the road.

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Earlier this week, two young teens were killed as they tried to help a friend push her disabled vehicle to safety on Pembroke Road in Miramar. According to one local news source, the two teens had been dating for a year and had recently discussed plans to get married.

Evidently, the fatal accident took place at around one in the morning near the west side of Interstate 75. Apparently, the two teens received a call from a friend whose SUV had broken down on the highway. Along with several others, the two teens helped push the disabled vehicle about 20 blocks before it was struck on the driver’s rear side by a passing vehicle.

The driver of that vehicle told police that she could not see the SUV until she was right behind it. Evidence from the accident scene suggests that the driver swerved in a last-minute attempt to avoid the collision. There are contradicting reports as to whether the SUV’s lights were on immediately prior to the accident. The teens pushing the vehicle claim the lights were on, and the woman who struck the vehicle claims they were not on. She also suggested that if they were on, perhaps the bodies of the teens pushing the vehicle covered them up. The road is otherwise dark and not lit with streetlights in that area.

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