Last weekend, three family members visiting from Georgia were killed and another was critically injured when the driver of a minivan allegedly lost control and ran them down on a sidewalk in Little Havana. The family was reportedly walking to their vehicle following a baseball game at the new Marlins baseball park when the van suddenly swerved, jumped the curb, drove through metal handrails, and hit them. Following the crash, 53-year-old Esther Terrero de Diaz, 14-year-old Franklin Diaz, and 13-year-old Adriana Diaz were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where they were pronounced dead. 10-year-old Magdeline Diaz was also taken to the hospital where she remains in critical condition. A relative of the family killed escaped serious injury, but was later hospitalized after he was reportedly overcome with grief.
Police believe the driver of the minivan, 67-year-old Raul Herberto Ortega, suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel. According to Ortega’s neighbor, the man suffered a fatal heart attack prior to the crash. A passing bicyclist was also allegedly hit by the minivan, but was not seriously injured.
Unfortunately, car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury and wrongful death in the State of Florida each year. A car, motorcycle, or truck accident often occurs when you least expect it. When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, a wide range of complex injuries and lifelong disabilities may result.
Pedestrian accidents like this one are all too common in Florida. Although most pedestrian accidents are caused by a careless, distracted, or intoxicated driver, other causes such as poor weather conditions or a medical emergency are also possible. If you were hurt or lost a close relative in a pedestrian or other accident, you may be eligible to receive damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, temporary or permanent disability, suffering, pain, and funeral expenses. Contact a qualified Miami personal injury attorney to help you file your claim.
Call the law firm of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. at (305) 371-6000 if you were hurt or a loved one was killed in an unexpected accident. Our experienced Broward County personal injury attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience assisting the victims of complex injury accidents achieve fair compensation based on the severity of their injuries. At Gerson & Schwartz, our dedicated attorneys are here to help you file your car accident, wrongful death, medical malpractice, or other personal injury claim. For a free consultation with a committed personal injury lawyer, please contact Gerson & Schwartz through the law firm’s website today.
More Blog Posts:
East Naples Man Sues Hospital After Suffering Second-Degree Burns in Operating Room Fire, Miami Injury Lawyer Blog, June 22, 2012
One Teen Killed, Another Injured When Pickup Rolls into in Broward County Canal, Miami Injury Lawyer Blog, June 15, 2012
Additional Resources:
Family in Marlins stadium tragedy identified; Jumbo’s driver charged with DUI manslaughter, by Meredith Rutland and Steven Montero, Miami Herald