Another Pedestrian Death in Volusia County
Walking along the road has always been a dangerous activity. Now comes a report of another deadly collision involving a pedestrian in Volusia County to confirm that too many drivers are not aware of pedestrians. According to statistics kept by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 2016 saw 9,102 pedestrian crashes, resulting in 667 fatalities and an additional 7,796 injuries. These numbers have continued to grow over the years, with fatalities up about 10% compared to 2014.
If you have been injured in a collision—or if a loved one has died—you should meet with a Volusia County pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your options.
Recent Crash
According to Spectrum News 13, the most recent collision happened along I-95, when a driver struck a woman walking along the side of the road. Police found the victim’s vehicle abandoned up the road in the center median. According to the police, the victim was walking along the southbound lane. She was 36 years old. The police have not yet brought criminal charges against the driver.
Wrongful Death
Not every collision is the driver’s fault. However, if the driver is responsible for the death in this recent collision, then the victim’s surviving family members might be able to bring a lawsuit for wrongful death. In this type of case, surviving family members step into the shoes of their loved one and bring the lawsuit the victim could have brought had she lived. In particular, the family members typically allege that a driver was negligent or reckless and that this conduct caused the death.
If successful, family members can receive an array of compensation, including:
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The value of support and/or services that the deceased provided to family members. For example, the value of cooking, cleaning clothes, taking care of children, etc.
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Loss of guidance, companionship, and protection. These losses are speculative, but a jury can decide to give an amount to compensate family members for these losses.
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Emotional pain and suffering if a child has died.
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Reimbursement of any funeral or medical expenses paid by a family member.
The deceased person’s estate can also recover compensation for the following:
- Lost wages and benefits the deceased could have earned had they lived.
- Lost earnings the estate could have collected.
- Any medical or funeral expenses paid by the estate.
If you have lost a loved one, you should schedule a consultation with an attorney to identify how much money might be available if you bring a wrongful death lawsuit. No two cases are alike, so a lawyer needs to perform an individualized case assessment in order to properly advise you.
Injured as a Pedestrian? Legal Help in Volusia County is Available
At Bundza & Rodriguez, we help injured pedestrians and their family members seek the financial compensation they need after a devastating crash. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Volusia County have years of experience handling all kinds of wrecks, and we are anxious to help you. To schedule your free, no-strings consultation, please call 386-252-5170 or submit an online message.
Resources:
mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2018/05/20/pedestrian-hit–killed-on-i-95-in-volusia-county.html
flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2016.pdf