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A 21 month old girl whose mother died while crossing a street in Florida during an illegal street race passed away in late May.

The little girl was being pushed in her stroller by her mother across Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa when both were hit by a black Ford Mustang that police said was racing next to a gold Nissan. Witnesses said the two vehicles reached speeds up to 60 MPH, but investigators could not confirm this. Others at the scene said they heard the engine of the Mustang roar just before the crash.

Police in Tampa announced the death of the little girl one day after her mother was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The mother and daughter were on vacation in Florida and were walking along the road after a day of rain.

The drivers of the vehicles are 17 and 18 years old and are facing two counts of vehicular homicide as well as street racing charges.

Police said the woman and her baby were crossing Bayshore Blvd. legally in a crosswalk when the fatal collision occurred.

Our View

It seems that street racing has made a comeback in many parts of Florida. As in all states, street racing is illegal, and if you are caught, you can face serious criminal penalties. Also, a person who is engaging in illegal street racing may be sued in civil court in a wrongful death action.

As Virginia and North Carolina wrongful death attorneys, we know there is no amount of money that can remove the damage that is done when you lose a loved one in this type of preventable accident. But it also is important to remember that losing a close family member can be a financially devastating event. Also, it is important to make certain that the person, company or entity that is responsible for the fatality pays for what they have done.

If you lose a loved one in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, these are the types of damages that are available:

  • Funeral expenses
  • Burial costs
  • Medical expenses and hospital bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of future wages

There are many considerations that go into how much compensation should be in a wrongful death lawsuit, including the amount of money the person earned in the past. It is important to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney to learn if you could obtain compensation for your loss.

 

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