A nine-year-year old boy was seriously injured when he was struck by a van while skateboarding near the intersection of Seventh Street and Northwest Twelfth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The accident occurred only a block or so from the child’s home and the driver of the van allegedly stopped to apologize to the injured boy before driving away from the accident scene.

The boy’s father, who was outside of his home with some friends when the accident happened, found his son gasping for breath, covered in blood, and moaning. He said it was one of the most horrific experiences of his life. The boy suffered a fractured jaw along with multiple scrapes and bruises. He spent three days in the hospital, before being released to recover at home.

Police are still searching for the driver of the silver van, which witnesses said had a paper license plate. The father said the crowd that had gathered at the scene was shocked that the driver left; he believes the driver will be caught. This accident was one of two in just a couple of days that occurred in South Florida involving children who were struck by a vehicle while they were skateboarding.

The other accident occurred just a couple of days earlier and involved an 11-year-old boy who lived in Miramar, Florida. The accident happened in a gated community. The driver of the vehicle did not leave the scene, but went to a nearby house to summon help. The boy died of his injuries; however, police have not charged or cited the driver.

The family of the boy who died could pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver of the vehicle when he is identified. The family of the injured boy could pursue a claim against the driver of the van and the owner of the van for his injuries and damages. He may have lasting mental and physical injuries as a result of the accident and may sue to obtain funds for the cost of future medical care related to his injuries.

Source: sun-sentinel.com, Man recalls holding his injured son as hit-run driver sped off in Fort Lauderdale,” Ihosvani Rodriguez, March 29, 2013