Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
A Hudson, Florida woman accused of running down a group of young girls and killing one of them was found guilty by a jury Wednesday of vehicular homicide, culpable negligence manslaughter and reckless driving.
The woman exited her front yard on November 5, 2010 enraged after an argument with her supposed boyfriend and lost control of her Jeep.
She apparently hit a mail box and slammed her vehicle into a group of girl’s playing in a neighbor’s yard. The group included 5-year-old triplets and their 10-year-old sister.
One of the triplets later died and another was seriously injured. The other two girls survived with minor scrapes and bruises.
The woman testified in court Tuesday that she backed the Jeep out of the yard and does not remember any of the events that followed. However, medical experts took the stand and challenged her statements, claiming she showed no signs of problems that may cause blackouts.
The prosecution claims the woman’s Jeep was unfit to drive and the driver’s side door was broken and was held together by a bungee cord.
The woman apparently sped away in such a hurry she forgot to put the bungee cord on and was trying to prevent the door from opening with her arm when she lost control of the vehicle.
Investigators claim she was traveling about 5 miles over the 30 mile per hour speed limit.
Most car accidents are caused by a form of driver distraction, which is exactly what happened in this case. It only takes one irresponsible driver to cause a catastrophic collision that can result in serious personal injuries or wrongful death. Florida law states that if you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries or loss of life due to a negligent driver, you may be awarded financial compensation for your pain and suffering.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,547 people lost their lives in 2009 due to a car accident involving a distracted driver. Another 448,000 were injured. Likewise, 16 percent of fatal accidents occurring in 2009 involved a distracted driver and another 20 percent of accidents resulting in injury involved a reckless motorist.
Driving is an inherently dangerous activity. However, the possibility to harm another is increased when distracted or negligent drivers take the wheel and ignore the safety of others. Motorists that practice unsafe driving habits must be held responsible for their actions. When a driver’s thoughtless behavior causes another person’s injury or death, they could be held liable for damages including reimbursement for medical bills, property repairs, disability, loss of income, mental anguish and pain and suffering. After a car wreck, it is tremendously important to contact the Florida Auto Accident Attorneys to discuss the events surrounding the collision as generally there is a narrow amount of time in which one can proceed with a lawsuit.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an accident as a result of a distracted or reckless driver in New Port Richey or throughout the state of Florida, call the Florida Auto Accident and Wrongful Death Attorneys at the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton, LLC online or call our Pasco County office at 727-847-2299 or dial 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).