Drunk Driving in Fernandina Beach Leaves Six Kids Injured and Two Dead

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on October 25, 2016

An eight year old and a nine year old boy were killed in a Florida automobile crash in Fernandina Beach last weekend. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the car accident happened around midnight and involved a driver crashing her car into a utility pole near Lonnie Crews Road and Lina Road. Investigations concluded that alcohol was involved in the accident.

The vehicle had eight young children inside, all under the age of 15. Four of the children were siblings – including the two young boys who were killed. The other children involved all suffered serious and critical injuries. They are currently being treated at UF Health in Jacksonville. The driver is reported to have suffered only minor injuries.

The group had just left a Halloween party less than one mile from where the crash happened.

As alcohol was a factor in this tragic accident, criminal charges will be brought. In addition to any criminal charges, the driver can also be held liable for the death of the two boys and the injuries to the other six children. This is because Florida law allows one to seek compensation for their injuries when those injuries were caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another. In the case at hand, the driving of eight children while intoxicated is not only reckless, it’s also criminal.

The parents of the injured children can seek compensation for their children’s medical bills and treatment, including any future treatment. If the injuries are severe enough to effect the child’s future ability to work, than they can also seek compensation for future loss of earnings, although any collection here will likely be put into a trust in order to support the child as they move into adulthood. There is also a possibility for the parents to sue for emotional distress. As to the two children who were killed in the accident, their right to sue will pass on to their surviving parents via what is known as the wrongful death action.

To learn more about protecting your legal right to receive compensation for injuries, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today.

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.