Orlando Good Samaritan Dies While Offering Roadside Assistance

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on July 12, 2017

A good samaritan who was helping victims of an Interstate 95 accident was killed on Tuesday. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the samaritan was hit while out helping a South Carolina family who was involved in an automobile crash in Volusia County near I-95’s mile marker 277.

The incident began when a red car travelling northbound hit the right back of the family’s Toyota SUV while attempting to change lanes. This caused the SUV to swerve into the guardrail and flip over. Meanwhile, the red car sped away.

Luckily for the family, a semi-truck traveling southbound and driven by a 59-year-old male from Port St. Lucie pulled over and offered his assistance. Unfortunately for the trucker, he was struck and killed by a northbound vehicle driven by a 24-year-old male from New Jersey. The family of four all suffered minor injuries.

This tragic scenario will likely lead to several law suits. First, the family of four will likely attempt to seek compensation for their injuries by suing the driver of the red car. The estate and surviving family of the deceased Good samaritan could in turn file a wrongful death claim against the 24-year-old driver from New Jersey based on the argument that he failed to drive at a safe distance and speed when approaching an accident. The 24-year-old driver, however, could possibly have a claim against the driver of the red vehicle as his accident is the result of their negligent driving. There is also the possibility that the young adult could claim contributory negligence by the good samaritan (and sue the estate), citing that being on the side of an Interstate without proper safety equipment is a negligent act. However, Florida’s Good Samaritan Law would protect them from any civil liability.

Clearly, in multi-car accidents, deciding who is responsible can become very complicated. If you or a loved one have been injured in an Orlando car accident, you have the right to seek compensation. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today at 877-FL-INJURY.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.