Motorcyclist Killed by Hit and Run Driver on I-10 in Jacksonville, Florida
A motorcyclist was killed after being hit by a person driving a truck who fled the scene of the accident on I-10 near I-95 in Jacksonville, Florida, according to an article on News4jax.com. Police are looking for the driver of the truck that hit the motorcyclist and have indicated that he/she was driving a Dodge Ram with particular markings and accessories.
Unfortunately, we have seen too many crashes that involve motorcycle victims and are often the result of careless drivers who are not properly looking out for other vehicles, particularly smaller motorcycles. Sometimes, in a deposition of the at-fault driver in the course of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit involving a motorcycle driver victim, the at-fault driver will claim that the motorcycle came out of nowhere or was difficult to see. This is rarely a valid defense. If anything, personal injury and wrongful death lawyers can use this to strengthen the plaintiff's case to show that the at-fault driver was negligent by not paying proper attention to his/her surroundings on the road.
An added issue here is the fact that the truck driver fled the scene. Assuming they find the person, this fact can be used to show consciousness of negligence. In other words, the personal injury/wrongful death attorney can use the fact that the at-fault driver fled the scene to prove that he/she knew he/she negligently caused the crash and did not want to wait around to be held accountable. Any time a person is involved in an accident like this in Florida that causes an injury, a death and/or property damage, the driver is required to remain at the scene of the crash and provide certain identification and insurance information. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor crime in Florida if there is no serious injury or death. However, if someone flees the scene of an accident involving a death, it is a serious felony crime in Florida.
