A chase through Volusia County ended in DeLand this summer when a fleeing driver ran off the road and slammed into a pole. The incident began at the scene of an entirely separate crash, which makes it a useful example of how one reckless decision can put multiple people at risk.

How the Crash Unfolded

The chain of events started on the afternoon of June 30, when troopers were investigating a rollover crash along West International Speedway south of Indian Lake Road, where first responders were attending to the possible injuries of a 44-year-old driver. While they worked, the driver of a 2020 Honda Civic collided with a firetruck at the scene and then tried to flee, passing cars in the grass and on the shoulder and nearly crashing several times.

Deputies and troopers pursued the Civic. The vehicle briefly stopped to let out two passengers before resuming its escape, and the chase ended when the driver ran off the roadway and struck a pole at International Speedway Boulevard and Amelia Avenue. DeLand police said the impact was forceful enough to send the car’s engine flying out.

The driver, a 27-year-old DeLand man, was apprehended after trying to flee on foot and faces charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, reckless driving, and resisting without violence, according to ClickOrlando. Firefighters at the original scene were not hurt.

It could easily have gone worse. A vehicle weaving through stopped traffic near an active crash scene puts every driver, passenger, and first responder in its path at risk.

Reckless Driving and Civil Liability in Florida

Criminal charges punish the driver. They do not compensate the people harmed along the way. Anyone injured by a reckless driver, whether in the initial collision or during the flight that follows, holds a separate civil claim for their losses.

Reckless driving cases tend to be strong on liability. When a driver flees a crash scene, passes on the shoulder, and refuses to stop for law enforcement, fault is rarely a close question. The harder work usually involves proving the full extent of the damages and finding coverage that will actually pay them.

Several categories of loss may be recoverable.

Medical treatment, both completed and anticipated.
Income lost during recovery and any reduced earning ability.
Vehicle repair or replacement.
Physical pain and the emotional toll of the crash.

Insurance is where these cases get complicated. Drivers who flee crash scenes are, statistically speaking, more likely to carry minimal coverage or none at all. When that happens, the injured person’s own uninsured motorist coverage may become the primary source of recovery. Sorting out which policies apply, and in what order, takes experience with how these claims actually resolve.

A DeLand, FL car accident lawyer drivers turn to after a crash like this can identify every available policy, gather the evidence from the criminal case, and press the claim while the injured person focuses on treatment.

Deadlines and Early Missteps

Florida’s statute of limitations generally allows two years to file a negligence lawsuit. The clock runs whether or not the criminal case has finished, so waiting for a conviction before acting on the civil side is a mistake.

Early conversations with insurers carry risk too. Adjusters may request recorded statements or float quick settlement figures before the injuries are fully understood. Accepting too soon can leave future treatment costs unpaid. A car accident attorney in DeLand can handle those communications and keep the claim’s value intact.

If you were hurt by a reckless or fleeing driver in DeLand or anywhere in Volusia County, Presser Law, P.A. can review the facts and explain what pursuing a claim would involve. Contact our office when you’re ready to talk through your situation.