Clearwater Woman Critically Injured in Pedestrian Collision
The daughter of a 53-year-old woman who was critically injured in a hit-and-run is pleading for the driver to come forward. Tammie Whiting was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg in critical condition after she was hit by a vehicle on November 20th. Whiting, a mother of four and grandmother of six, sustained injuries that include major head trauma in the accident. Her daughter, Quantel, is now making a plea to the driver to come forward and turn himself/herself in. According to police, Whiting was crossing Myrtle Avenue at Turner Street in the crosswalk, and intersection in Clearwater Beach. She had waited for the green light before she was hit by a southbound car that had run the red light. The driver of the car then sped off, officials say.
The vehicle is thought to be a silver four-door sedan that is similar to a Ford Taurus. The car is likely to have damage to its front end. Last month, two tourists were killed while crossing Memorial Causeway. Video footage of a silver Mercedes SUV was released, and an arrest was made two weeks later. But police say this case may prove more difficult, as witness descriptions of the suspect car are vaguer. In addition, surveillance video was not readily available. There are no red-light cameras at the intersection, and many of the nearby business don’t have surveillance cameras of their own.
Navigating the legalities of pedestrian accidents can be particularly complicated, especially when they are combined with the complexities of hit and run accidents. Unfortunately, receiving compensation in a hit and run pedestrian accident in Florida can be challenging, and recovering compensation from injuries and medical bills amidst the interests of insurance companies and negligent drivers can be frustrating at best. This is why you need to hire a Florida personal injury lawyer experienced in dealing with these types of lawsuits.
Although the State of Florida’s no fault insurance requires your own insurance to pay for most of your injuries, you are entitled to more compensation if the other driver was negligent. Common examples of negligence in these cases include being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, talking on the phone, or sending a text message at the time of the accident. If the case warrants it, you can file a civil lawsuit against the hit and run driver in order to recover damages. In addition to the civil lawsuit, if the hit and run driver is identified, he or she can face serious criminal penalties. Failing to report damage from an accident is a misdemeanor and can result in up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A hit and run accident involving death or serious injury can mean up to 5 years in prison.
Florida personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham has over 30 years of experience dealing with Florida hit and run vehicle damage claims. You can contact our firm at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).
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.