Joseph Ricciardelli Killed on I-95 in Boynton Beach, Florida
Joseph Ricciardelli was killed in a Boyton Beach, Florida car accident after he was struck on the shoulder of I-95 yesterday afternoon. Joseph Ricciardelli was a tow truck driver with Emerald Towing and was working at the time he was killed. According to news reports, Ricciardelli had stopped to help the Florida Highway Patrol tow a car south of Woolbright Avenue on I-95.
In order to safely tow the vehicle, Joseph Ricciardelli had to close off part of the HOV lane with traffic cones. After the vehicle had been loaded onto his truck, Ricciardelli began to collect his cones when the accident happened.
Based on my experience as a Florida trial lawyer, I expect Joseph Ricciardelli's family to be entitled to VERY substantial compensation for his death.
Given my perspective as a trial attorney, my role in this blog is to identify and discuss the legal issues created by this case, based on the information made public thus far.
An investigation has revealed that the accident was caused by Johnnie V. Knowles, who swerved into Joseph Ricciardelli in order to avoid a collision with the car in front of him, when that car unexpectedly hit its brakes.
Sadly, Mr. Knowles was also killed.
While the reason for the other car's unexpected braking is unknown, it is clear that Knowles is responsible for Ricciardelli's death because he had a duty to drive at a safe distance behind the car in front of him. Under Florida law, a safe distance is defined as the amount of space needed to come to a complete stop without causing an accident, should the car in front of you slam on its brakes.
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