Florida Child Injury Law Blog » speeding

$6 Million Verdict Awarded to Parents in Fatal Car Crash That Killed Their 16 Year-Old Daughter

James Dodson — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:00:17 +0000

In a news release this past week, a Florida couple has won a $6 million civil verdict nearly seven years after their 16-year-old daughter was killed in a fatal car crash.

Carlos Pozo, serving a 5 ½ year prison sentence for vehicular manslaughter, was speeding at 100mph on a rain slicked road when he lost control of his car. Kaitlin Kazanjian’s was killed in the crash. Pozo has no way of paying the verdict.

The victim’s father, Palm Beach County Sheriff Office Sgt. John Kazanjian, says it doesn’t matter and it was never about the money, stating: “I just wanted to get everything on the record. To this day he thinks this was an accident, “It wasn’t an accident. It was his fault. He killed my daughter.”

Attorneys for Pozo say he has been “incredibly remorseful” since the day of the accident, writing letters to the Kazanjian’s and tearfully apologizing at his sentencing.

For over twenty-five years the Dodson Law Firm has been representing clients seriously injured in accidents as well as families affected by wrongful death. To speak directly to Jim Dodson about your injury claim, please call our office toll free at (888) 340-0840 and set up a time to discuss your case at no obligation. Read our No Fee Promise.

Parents: Rule the Road for Teen Drivers

James Dodson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:45:32 +0000

A study in Pediatrics Journal reports parents who set firm but loving limits on their teen drivers will have teens that are half as likely to get into a car accident as teens with un-involved parents. Teens will also be 71% less likely to drink and drive, 50% less likely to speed and 29% less likely to talk/text on cell phones.

We all know teens’ lives are more in danger in the car. Fatal car accidents are the leading cause of death for 16-20 year- olds.

Car accident risks increase when a teenager has a passenger in the car, has been using drugs/alcohol and if they are speeding. Ken Ginsburg, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine recommends rules parents should set for teen drivers:

no passengers during the first 6-12 months of driving
Limit driving in bad weather
enforce curfews
maintain control of the car keys

Finally reward your teen driver with a special privilege once they’ve been driving successfully and by your rules for awhile. –Just don’t buy them a car, studies show kids who do not have their own car are 50% less likely to be involved in a car crash.

For additional information and safety resources to protect your teen driver, visit our Florida Child Injury document and resource library or contact our office for a free consultation @ 1-888-340-0840.