Bicycle Accident Victim Honored in Ride
Bicyclists in Fort Lauderdale, Florida recently organized a ride in memory of a member of the community who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in December 2013. The man was heading to work when a driver struck him from behind. The man was thrown up onto the hood of the car and over the roof before coming to rest between the spoiler on the back of the vehicle and the smashed rear window. According to police, the driver did not stop to help the injured bicyclist and instead drove two miles to his home where he placed the bicyclist behind a trash bin.
The man was found later that day and spent the remainder of his life in a Florida hospital before passing away in February 2014. The driver is now facing criminal charges for leaving the scene of the accident, tampering with evidence and murder with a deadly weapon.
The proceeds from the bike ride, organized by zMotion, will go to Bit-By-Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Davie and Pompano Beach, Florida. The facility uses horses to provide therapies to individuals with neurological and developmental disorders.
Hit-and-Run Case Similar to Ethan Couch
Ethan Couch, a 16-year-old teenager in Texas, has also received media attention after he hosted a party at his home, drank alcohol and drove his father’s truck into a crowd of pedestrians who had gathered near a disabled car. The accident resulted in two injured individuals and the deaths of four more. However, while Couch was believed to be facing 20 years of prison time, a judge determined that Couch would instead receive a 10-year probation sentence and be required to attend a treatment facility. Nevertheless, like the Florida hit-ad-run driver, Couch faced lawsuits from the parties he injured and the families of those he killed, despite his lenient criminal sentence.
Have You Been Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Florida?
What these cases have in common is that even though criminal charges can be brought against an individual, that does not mean that a victim or the victim’s family cannot seek compensation for damages incurred as well. That is why it is important to remember that if you or a loved one is injured, you should consider seeking legal counsel to find out what options may be available.
If you or someone you love has been harmed in a Florida bicycle accident, contact Attorney Group for Florida today to receive a free case evaluation. We can help answer your questions and help you determine if you are eligible to recover damages for your injuries. We can also connect you with an affiliated bicycle accident attorney in Florida who can assist you in seeking the compensation to which you may be entitled.
