Vehicular Homicide Victims and Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Florida

The unexpected death of a loved one is always tragic. Sometime, however, the death of a loved one in a car crash occurs because of the criminal acts of another person. The victim's family must deal with the death of a loved one while waiting for updates from the traffic homicide investigators about a vehicular homicide or leaving the scene case.

Obtaining any kind of closure is impossible while the victim's family waits for a resolution of the vehicular homicide charges. The lawyers at Levine and Glassman, P.A., understand the complexities involved in vehicular homicide cases. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the wrongful death or personal injury claim that often accompany a vehicular homicide investigation. We represent the victims of wrongful death and personal injury cases throughout Florida, including the Ft. Lauderdale, Weston, and Miami areas of South Florida.

Helping the Victims After the Vehicular Homicide Investigation Begins

Obtaining qualified representation as early as possible after the vehicular homicide investigation begins is critical. The driver who caused the accident will certainly obtain a criminal defense attorney quickly. Additionally, the driver's insurance company that will defend the civil lawsuit will begin their investigation in an attempt to minimize the amount they must pay. The family of any person killed or injured in the vehicular homicide crash also deserves the best representation possible to handle the civil side of the case.

The attorneys at Levine and Glassman work quickly to represent the victims and their families. Our attorneys and private investigators help gather information that might otherwise be lost or overlooked by the traffic homicide investigators. By having your own investigators and experts look over the forensic evidence a second set of eyes can often assist not only in the civil lawsuit for money damages, but also in making sure justice is served in the vehicular homicide or leaving the scene case.

Vehicular Homicide under Florida Law

The prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office must prove the following elements beyond all reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction for vehicular homicide under Florida law:

1. The defendant drove the vehicle;
2. The victim's death was caused by operation of the motor vehicle driven by the defendant;
3. The defendant operated the motor vehicle in a reckless manner that was likely to cause death of or great bodily harm to another person.

Vehicular Homicide Involving Leaving the Scene under Florida Law

The prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office must prove the following elements beyond all reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction for vehicular homicide leaving the scene under Florida law:

1. The defendant was the driver of a vehicle involved in an crash resulting in death of any person;
2. The defendant knew or should have known that he was involved in the crash;
3. The defendant knew or should have known of the injury to or death of the person;
4. The defendant willfully failed to stop at the scene or as close to the accident as possible and remain until providing "identifying information" to the injured person / driver / occupant and to any police officer investigating the accident; or
5. The defendant willfully failed to render "reasonable assistance" to the injured person.

Conclusion

Victims of vehicular homicide cases throughout Florida can contact Levine and Glassman to speak with an experienced and aggressive personal injury attorney. Our offices are located in South Florida in the Weston and Miami area, Find out how we can help you obtain justice and protect your rights against the at fault driver in a traffic or vehicular homicide case in Florida.