Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
Early on Wednesday morning, two cyclists travelling Eastbound on the Rickenbacker Causeway were struck by a silver Volkwagen Jetta, causing serious injury to one cyclist, and killing the other. Police arrived to find that the driver of the car, 21 year old Alejandro Alvarez, had fled the scene. He later attempted to make it look like his car had been stolen the night before, but eventually turned himself in. 49 year-old Walter Reyes was killed at the scene, while 40 year-old Harry Hernandez was rushed to the hospital with injuries not disclosed by the police. Reyes was a well-known figure in Key Biscayne, as a prominent executive with Keyes company. The two cyclists were out for a training for an upcoming charity biking event, the Dolphin Cycling Challenge.
Alvarez will be charged with driving under the influence, and vehicular manslaughter. Police told reporters that the cyclists were following the applicable traffic rules, while the driver was not. Police claim that Alvarez had wandered into the bike line, striking both cyclists before driving off to his home. The case therefore, was handled like a normal homicide. The situation here is much like one that happened very recently on the same stretch of the causeway to another young husband, which caused an outcry from the cycling community and led to a new statute to protect cyclists sharing the road with drivers.
Police and public officials again urge drivers to drive carefully on the causeway, as visibility is not always ideal for cyclists and drivers alike. Police also warn that this has been a particularly bloody couple of years on the causeway, and that drivers and cyclists need to prepare and be cautious for the contingencies of others not following road rules. You can read more about the story, and follow the upcoming trial of young Alejandro Alvarez on most major local news agencies here.
Cycling accidents that include cars are some of the most damaging and deadly in the field of personal injury. Like in the case above, these cases often times have aspects in both criminal and civil law. While Alvarez will be brought up on charges, he will also likely face damage suits for the injuries he inflicted and the wrongful death of Mr. Reyes. On top of over 20 years of experience in car accident and personal injury cases, the attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have experience in dealing with these types of bicycle accident cases, having won large awards for cycling injuries when they are lawfully riding on roads and with others. As a cyclist himself, Jonathan Friedland understands the dangers of cycling, and can help get the compensation you deserve when drivers do not share the road. The Friedland | Carmona has been awarded multiple commendations for his work, and remains one of Florida’s Best Lawyers in the South Florida Legal Guide. If you or someone you know has been injured because of the fault of another in bicycle, car, boating or slip and fall accidents, call us today!
The Key Biscayne personal injury attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types of negligence, product liability, personal injury, negligent security, slip/trip and fall, and car accident cases throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, slip and falls, negligent and reckless drivers, and automobile and motorcycle accidents. Call the Miami personal injury attorneys today and let our family take care of your family.