Two communities in Broward County have been shaken up by hit-and-run accidents that have left a bicyclist dead and two young pedestrians fighting for their lives. Law enforcement authorities in both Dania Beach and Pembroke Pines are still searching for the responsible drivers and asking the communities for help so the victims and their families can hold them accountable and recover for their losses.

On Monday, December 8th, two brothers were walking home from a school basketball game in Dania Beach at about 7:00 p.m. Based on eyewitness reports, police believe that a gray Toyota Tacoma pickup truck swerved and hit the boys, sending their belongings into the air, and the driver of the truck kept driving. The 8 and 14-year-old boys are both reportedly in pediatric intensive care with severe injuries.

A few days later, witnesses discovered the body of a 58-year-old man in a roadway in Pembroke Pines early in the morning on Friday, December 12th. The man had been biking to work, according to family, and his bicycle was several feet away, reportedly mangled. The driver who hit the victim also failed to stop at the scene, but police believe the vehicle involved was a Ford Fusion manufactured between 2006 and 2009.

Relief for the Families of the Victims

If police find the drivers of the vehicles who fled, it will provide substantial help to both the families of the deceased bicyclist and to the parents of the two young boys. First, the family of the bicyclist will be able to file a wrongful death claim under Florida law against the responsible driver. A successful wrongful death claim may award them damages for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, loss of future income that the victim would have earned had he lived, and more.

Similarly, the parents of the injured brothers will be able to file a personal injury claim against the driver on the boys behalf in order to recover for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. Though these claims would have almost certainly occurred even if the drivers had stopped, the court may award greater damages to the families because the drivers failed to stop at the scene. Additionally, the fact that the drivers each fled may serve as evidence that they were at fault and acting negligently in causing the collisions.

Following a hit-and-run accident, many people believe they will not be able to receive any compensation for their losses. However, even if the driver is never identified, you may still file an uninsured motorist claim under Florida law to recover for some of your losses. Whether you need assistance filing a legal claim or negotiating with an insurance company, an experienced Broward County personal injury attorney can help.

Whether you have suffered injury or have tragically lost a loved one in an accident that was another person’s fault, an auto accident lawyer can help stand up for your rights to recovery.

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