Florida Man Killed After Crashing Into Alligator

Florida residents have to be cautious when driving. There are many hazards that can cause car accidents. Some examples include other vehicles, pedestrians, medians, trees, construction zones, deer, and even alligators.

Yes, you read that right—alligators. Alligators can be a menace when they enter Florida’s busy roadways. In one bizarre situation, a man was killed after colliding with an 11-foot alligator.

A 59-year-old man was driving in Lithia on the morning of March 24 when he hit the gator that was in the middle of County Road 672. The collision caused the man’s car to go off the road and roll over in a nearby ditch. The man died at the accident scene. The gator was also killed in the crash.

Crashes With Alligators

Crashes with alligators are not common, despite there being more than 1 million of these reptiles in Florida. It’s likely that you could encounter one on the roadway just like this man did.

It’s possible that you could find one under your car or even in your truck bed. If you do notice a gator, call a professional to have it removed. You definitely don’t want to do it yourself.

You’re more likely to encounter one that is acting like a pedestrian on the road. When you do see one, you should yield to it. Don’t try to outrun it or run it over. As seen in this case, it could cause significant damage to your vehicle, especially at high speeds. It is possible for gators to run as fast as 11 miles per hour, so be cautious.

If you do hit a gator, pull over but stay in your vehicle. Gators have been to hitch rides under vehicles, so exiting your car could be unsafe. Instead, stay in your vehicle and call the police.

If the gator is injured, don’t try to help it. These animals can cause a lot of harm—even death—so don’t try to approach. It’s best to stay away from them and let a professional deal with them.

It’s also a good idea to call your insurance company. You can’t sue the alligator for damages, so hopefully you have collision and comprehensive insurance to cover the costs.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today

Florida is home to a variety of large animals both wild and domestic.  In addition to alligators, horses, cows, deer and other animals find their way onto Florida roads.  while drivers may not be scared of hitting them, they should be. These creatures can cause freak accidents that can be fatal, as seen in this case.

Animals cannot be sued, so when a person is injured or killed by an animal, a legal case can be complicated. A Tampa car accident attorney from Moore Law can guide you through the legal process. Schedule a free consultation by calling 813-510-5400 or filling out the online form.

Source:

nbc-2.com/news/state/2022/03/24/man-killed-after-crashing-into-11-foot-gator-in-florida/