South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Earlier this month in Miami-Dade County, a Florida Highway Patrol ranger was killed when he was struck by an out-of-control dump truck. According to one local news report, the accident took place on the Florida Turnpike near Southwest 120th Street. The accident took place at around 12:30 in the afternoon.
According to one local news source, the accident occurred in the northbound lanes of the Turnpike, as the ranger was assisting the occupants of a Ford Mustang that had broken down. The ranger was standing in or near one of the northbound lanes of traffic, attempting to get drivers to slow down for the occupants of the Mustang. However, not long after he arrived on the scene, a dump truck traveling in the northbound lanes lost control of his brakes as he attempted to slow down.
The dump truck struck a nearby light pole and then came careening towards the ranger. Although the ranger attempted to get out of the way of the truck, he was unable to do so and was struck and killed by the force of the collision.
The driver of the dump truck remained on the scene throughout the investigation and, as of the time of the article’s publication, had not been issued any citations for his role in the fatal truck accident. In a subsequent statement, the FHP told reporters that the driver of the dump truck did follow protocol in the moments leading up to the accident and that it was a tragic accident.
Determining Fault in South Florida Truck Accidents
It seems as though the FHP has determined that the driver of the dump truck should not face criminal charges for his role in the fatal vehicle accident. However, that does not mean that the family of the FHP ranger is without any means of recourse.
Through a Florida wrongful death action, the family members of a deceased accident victim are able to seek financial compensation for their losses. Often, these cases are much stronger when there is evidence of criminal charges that were filed against the defendant. However, that is not a requirement for recovery. The basic elements of a wrongful death claim can be made out with or without a criminal conviction. To learn more, contact a dedicated Florida personal injury attorney.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a Florida Accident?
If you have recently lost a loved one in any kind of South Florida accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your losses through a Florida wrongful death action. Of course, the party you believe to be responsible for the loss of your loved one will not likely admit liability and may try and avoid financial liability by fighting the case and dragging it out for months or even years. To ensure that your case is handled in an efficient and diligent manner, contact one of the skilled personal injury advocates at Cecere Santana. At Cecere Santana, we have a team of skilled and dedicated attorneys who are well versed in all aspects of Florida injury law. Call 800-753-5529 today to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Skateboarder Killed in Miami Hit-and-Run Accident, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published August 12, 2015.
Two Motorcycle Accidents in Palm Beach County Leaves One Man Dead and Another in Serious Condition, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published July 9, 2015.