When dangerous behavior on the roads results in accidents, it may be possible to sue multiple people or entities, even if the government is partially responsible. A lawyer who routinely helps clients after they sustain injuries in car accidents can provide more information about this process.
A chase through one of Miami’s major roadways ended with a collision that affected multiple cars.
Car chase on Miami highways results in significant damage
The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident began when they received an emergency call about a vehicle that had already struck several other cars in the rain. The police saw the suspect initially on State Road 826 near the 25th Street exit, but his SUV quickly exited onto the Palmetto Expressway where the chase began. As he was being pursued on the Palmetto, he exited onto Southwest 8th Street and hit a light pole shortly afterward. He remained trapped inside the vehicle until he was apprehended by law enforcement. The driver was a 19 year old male who was taken into custody by the officers on the scene. Another woman who was hit during the chase estimated that the drivers must have been going in excess of 100 miles per hour. Even though her car sustained serious damage, she was not hurt during the collision.
No information was provided about the specific citations or charges that will be filed against the suspect.
Cases where the government or police are named as defendants
The local police in any city in Florida can be sued just like any other driver. While there are some different rules for filing a civil negligence case against government defendants, it is still possible to make a city or county government pay for damage related to a car accident in situations where they are responsible. The job of an accident lawyer is to try to prove they were at fault so that their client can be compensated.
The rules for suing a government body. such as the police. in civil court in Florida provide a cap on damages. This means that a plaintiff can only receive a maximum of $200,000 for any combination of injuries or property damage if the government has to pay out, and punitive damages are not available in these kinds of cases. In some rare situations, the state legislature can approve more money to be paid to a victim.
Accidents that involve multiple vehicles and the comparative negligence standard
Many civil accident lawsuits in the state of Florida will involve a division of fault under the comparative negligence law. Florida is considered a pure comparative negligence jurisdiction, which means that fault can be divided between everyone involved to equal one hundred percent. Under these laws, there is no amount of fault that will totally prevent any party involved from collecting their share of the available damages. This is favorable to plaintiffs, as their level of responsibility for an accident will only reduce the amount of money they receive.
Talk to an attorney who assists clients in the Miami area
The best way to receive advice and assistance after a collision is to talk to an attorney licensed in Florida who focuses on helping accident victims. Mario Trespalacios can help you get started with the process of filing a lawsuit.
