A pedestrian was fatally struck by a box truck on Interstate 275 in Tampa. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on August 16. The victim, a 40-year-old man, was walking across the interstate when he was hit by the truck and pronounced dead on the scene.

In this case, liability for the accident likely rests with the pedestrian, since pedestrians are not permitted to walk across multi-lane highways. What are your legal options when you’re injured in an accident, but the person at fault was killed?

Who’s responsible when the at-fault party dies?

You may still be able to recover compensation for your injuries, even if the person who caused the accident died. Be sure to contact the relevant authorities, such as the police or emergency services. Document the accident scene by taking photographs, gathering witness statements and collecting any other relevant evidence, and seek medical attention right away.

In most cases, insurance policies cover accidents regardless of whether the at-fault party is alive or deceased. You should promptly inform your insurance company about the accident and provide them with all the necessary details. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to make a claim against the at-fault party's insurance, if applicable.

Another option is to sue the estate. When the at-fault party has died, their estate may become liable for any damages resulting from the accident. In this situation, you would file a claim against the deceased person's estate. This can get complex, as you might have to go through probate proceedings and deal with the deceased's legal representatives, such as their executor or administrator.

If the person who caused your accident subsequently died, help is available. Contact an experienced Sarasota, FL auto accident lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh today.