Every parent has experienced taking their kids for a walk. It is a simple, free outdoor activity that, especially in our current times, allows for an outdoor family activity. A simple walk with our kids can be such an enjoyable experience. However, we must keep in mind that if we are walking along sidewalks and streets, we are in danger. Negligent drivers exists everywhere, even smaller neighborhood streets. One such recent story should remind us all to hug our loved ones every day.

The fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident

According to the Florida Highway Patrol and the Port Richey Police Department, the fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident happened Saturday night when a 7-year-old boy was walking with his family on Regency Park Boulevard. The family was taking the stroll to look at Christmas lights, when the family stopped at the corner of Regency Park Boulevard and King Arthur Drive. The family looked both ways before crossing the street, but unfortunately, did not see the motorcycle.

At the same time, a speeding motorcycle was traveling northbound. The motorcyclist hit the child, and then kept going. According to the family, he motorcyclists looked won, but just kept driving. The child was taken to local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

After the accident

The FHP and PRPD stated that the motorcyclist did not stop after hitting the young boy. Instead the cyclists continued traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. As a result, the accident was classified as a hit-and-run, and the police were on the hunt for that motorcyclist.

What happens next?

Normally, after a Tampa, Florida, car accident, the police are only involved to take a police report of what happened, determine fault and then the rest is a civil matter. However, in hit-and-run accidents, the police stay involved because not stopping at the scene of an accident is a crime. This means that two case will usually happen at the same time or near each other, the criminal case and the civil case. When someone is killed, the civil case is a wrongful death case that is filed by the surviving family. These cases allow the families to seek civil justice and be compensated for the negligence of the driver.