1 Killed, 1 Injured After Stolen Car Crashes
When a driver is speeding or acting erratically, police will often signal for them to pull over. When the driver ignores the police and keeps on driving, a chase ensues. These chases often result in catastrophic crashes.
A driver recently stole a vehicle in Florida and ended up dead. The fatal accident occurred on the morning of June 28 at the intersection of Northwest 13th Street and Northwest 23rd Avenue in Gainesville.
The Gainesville Police Department spotted a stolen Chrysler 200 at the Sweetwater Square apartment complex. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the car sped away from the complex.
The car was found flipped over sideways at the intersection. Inside were two stolen firearms. There were two people inside. Gainesville Fire Rescue extricated the occupants and took them to UF Health Shands Hospital. The driver later died. The passenger, a minor, was left in critical condition, but has since improved. Those with information about the crash should contact the police department’s Traffic Safety Team.
What Happens When a Person Steals a Car and Causes an Accident?
When a person steals a vehicle, it can be a complicated situation all around. If the person causes a crash, then there are criminal and civil issues at stake.
So what happens if the thief crashes into your vehicle or other property? Who pays for the damages?
Even though the car belongs to someone else, the person who stole the car is responsible for the damages. However, there is the possibility that they don’t have insurance or don’t have the money to pay out of pocket. In these situations, you may have to use your own insurance to cover the damage.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy, this would cover any damage to your vehicle if the other driver is uninsured. If you have collision insurance, this will likely cover some of the damage as well.
If you don’t have these coverages or the insurance company refuses to pay for damages, your other option is to sue the other driver for the damage. Your best bet is to reach out to your auto insurance company to see what they can do for you. You may need to pay for the damage up front and then seek reimbursement in the form of a lawsuit. Contact a lawyer to learn more about your legal options.
Contact Us Today
Police chases often lead to accidents due to the high speeds involved. A person could suffer serious injuries or even death, as seen in this case.
If you have been injured in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, the Florida car accident attorneys at Meldon Law can assist you with your case. We’ll work hard to obtain maximum recovery. Call (800) 373-8000 or fill out the online form to schedule a free consultation with our office. We have three offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale.
Source:
alligator.org/article/2022/07/stolen-car-accident-leads-to-driver-death
