Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers

When someone allegedly drinks and then gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, a whole host of problems can arise immediately.  Not only could the person who is allegedly engaging in this conduct be arrested for a Florida DUI, but if that person gets into a Florida DUI accident and kills someone, the situation goes from bad to catastrophic immediately, particularly for the family of the person who was killed.

Tragically, this appears to be the case with Jim Leyritz, a former Major League Baseball player who was involved in a fatal Fort Lauderdale auto accident on December 28, 2007.  The crash occurred after 3 a.m. at 200 SW 7th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.  According to a police report, Leyritz collided violently with the person who was killed, 30-year-old Fredia Veitch at an intersection.

Leyritz was charged and is awaiting trial for Florida DUI manslaughter, but the family of Veitch also filed a Florida wrongful death lawsuit.  Recent word has been released that Leyritz has settled the wrongful death claim for an amount of $350,000.00.  The structure of the settlement includes a $250,000.00 payment immediately and payments of $1,000.00 per month for 100 months.  In regards to the criminal prosecution, trial is set to start soon, and Leyritz could face up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted of these charges and if he receives the maximum sentence if he is convicted.

First of all, we’d like to offer our hope that the Veitch family is able to obtain some sort of closure on this situation now that the Florida wrongful death lawsuit is over.  However, full closure will likely not be attainable until the criminal prosecution process ends and a decision is rendered in that case.

Florida Auto Accidents Where Alcohol is a Factor

Unfortunately, the situation involving Leyritz is far from the only situation in Florida in which someone is arrested after being involved in a Florida auto accident in which alcohol is listed as a factor.  According to statistics, approximately 1,200 people every year are killed in Florida in accidents where police indicate that alcohol was a relevant variable in what led to the result.

Florida Wrongful Death Lawyers

If you have lost someone you love because of the negligence or even criminal conduct of another driver, you could seek justice by way of a Florida wrongful death lawsuit regardless of the particulars of any criminal prosecution.  A successful claim could lead to a settlement or damages including costs for funeral, burial and medical expenses as well as lost income and loss of companionship.  However, you should also seek the help of Florida wrongful death lawyers who have years of experience in successfully fighting for the rights of families who have lost someone suddenly.  Contact Bernstein & Maryanoff today to schedule a free initial consultation.