A 26-year-old Coconut Creek woman was killed on Thursday in a Broward County, Florida car accident. Amanda Smith was ejected from the Jeep she was a passenger in after the vehicle collided with a Lighthouse Point police cruiser.
Smith was not using a seat belt at the time of the Pompano Beach car crash. After being thrown from the auto, she was partially pinned under the Jeep, which had tipped over. Smith died at the collision site. She leaves behind her father and two sons, ages 5 and 6 months.
Boca Raton resident Gary Judd Costa, who was driving the Jeep, has been arrested. He is charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance, and failure to exercise due care. He and Lighthouse Point Police Officer Mark Riemer sustained minor injuries.
According to police, Costa lost control of his Jeep on the Federal Highway. He then hit the concrete median before colliding with the police cruiser.
If someone you love was killed in a Broward County traffic crash, you may have reason to pursue damages from other liable parties. Because Florida is a comparative negligence state, even if the victim played a role in causing his injuries, compensation from any other liable parties for whatever percentage of the collision is deemed to be their fault is still possible. For example, if a Pompano Beach car accident victim is found be 30% at fault for his/her injuries, then the other responsible party can still be held accountable for 70% of whatever damages are awarded. Florida’s comparative negligence standard has been in effect since 1973.
Not all states follow this type of law. For example, some states follow the contributory negligence standard. Under this law, if an injured party is found even a little liable for his//her injuries, then he/she cannot recover any compensation.
Dad mourns daughter killed in police car crash, Sun-Sentinel, December 4, 2011
More Blog Posts:
Miami-Dade Car Accident Lawsuit Filed in Florida Wrongful Death Case Against Coral Gables Teenager, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, October 7, 2011
$2.25M Palm Beach Car County Accident Verdict Awarded in Boynton Beach Wrongful Death, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, March 18, 2011
Mother Files Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Against Alleged Drunk Driver Over Daughter’s Wrongful Death, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, November 17, 2010
Contact our Pompano Beach personal injury law firm today.