Gibsonton Wrongful Death Pedestrian Accident Highlights Tragic Night in Tampa Bay

Tragically, three different victims of wrongful death accidents occurred on December 27, 2019. In Gibsonton, a pedestrian wrongful death car accident occurred. In Tampa near 50th Street and the Selmon Expressway, a motorcycle rider suffered personal injuries and died in a wrongful death motorcycle accident. In addition, a bicycle personal injury accident also resulted in a wrongful death in Hudson, FL.

There are few, if any, adequate consolatory words for a time like this for the families of the personal injury accident victims, but we at The Frank Santini Law Firm do express our sincere condolences.

Often, the families of wrongful death victims do not realize at first that they may have legal rights in the wake of the car accident, gas explosion, botched surgery or other accident that took the life of their loved one. Florida law has built in a time period for the family of the Tampa Bay wrongful death victim to seek financial compensation. The wrongful death statute of limitations in Florida is two (2) years from date of death. Thus, in other words, if a Riverview car accident caused the death of an individual on December 30, 2019, the family of the Riverview wrongful death victim would need to file a lawsuit in Hillsborough County Circuit Court at 800 E Twiggs St in Tampa by December 29, 2021. This statute of limitations time deadline is extremely strict and very, very rarely will a wrongful death lawsuit in Tampa or elsewhere in Florida be permitted to proceed after the two-year deadline has passed.

It is also important to understand, it not just any family member that can bring a Brandon wrongful death lawsuit. A Tampa Bay wrongful death lawsuit can only be filed by the “personal representative” of the deceased. The personal representative will be written into the Will of the wrongful death victim, if he or she had a Last Will and Testament. If no Will exists, then the next of kin will need to apply to the local probate court in Pinellas County (or other Florida county as applicable) to be the personal representative. If a person dies intestate (without a Will) typically the surviving spouse or one of the children will be the personal representative, but it could also be a sibling or parent, if applicable.

Many of these details and legal hurdles are why it makes sense to hire a Riverview wrongful death attorney to deal with these issues, so the loved ones of the personal injury accident victim can focus on healing. Frank Santini, the Managing partner of our Riverview Law Firm, has lost a loved one to a wrongful death accident and he knows what it’s like for the family and friends of the victims of these horrible fatal accidents. Call our office any time to discuss a personal injury car accident, wrongful death or other matter involving serious personal injury. Mr. Santini and his staff are always on call to help clients and prospective clients get justice. Our main office number is (813) 445-6121.