Waitress dies in Keys collision

A 22-year-old woman was killed and a 24-year-old man was injured in the Florida Keys after they were involved in a head-on car accident with a taxi on May 13. The pair had traveled to Islamorada for an annual end-of-season party for South Florida service-industry workers. Authorities suspect that both victims were drinking and it appears that neither was wearing a seatbelt.

Authorities report that the 24-year-old victim was airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami-Dade, while the 71-year-old driver of the taxi was taken to Mariners Hospital. The older man remains in serious condition. The female victim was also transported to Ryder but she died shortly after the collision.

Initial investigation shows that the young man was fleeing from another minor accident when he struck the cab head-on. It appears that he will face criminal charges, though the exact nature of the indictment has not yet been released.

A witness in the case said the female victim was driving the Honda Element, rear-ending the victim's car while both were driving on U.S. 1. When the witness turned around to get something from his vehicle, the young male driver switched seats with his female friend and then sped away from the scene of the fender-bender. The Element then crossed over the center line, driving north in the southbound lanes before striking the taxi. The Honda came to rest on the southbound side of the road shortly before its engine caught fire.

The relatives of the female victim could seek financial compensation from the driver in this case, specifically for wrongful death, emotional distress and loss of consort, among other claims. Further, the driver of the taxi could pursue a civil suit against the male driver, perhaps collecting funds for his medical bills. If the taxi driver suffers a disabling injury, he could also recover financial compensation for disfigurement, pain and suffering and lost income. If you have been involved in a car crash that wasn't your fault, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Seek the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney to find out more about your legal options.

Source: www.miamiherald.com, "Miami waitress killed in crash in the Keys for bartender bash" David Goodhue, May. 17, 2013