A Port St. Lucie man is suing the City of Vero Beach after suffering “significant head trauma” and other injuries when a city police vehicle turned in front of him while he was riding a bicycle in the bike lane on Highway A1A south of Beachland Boulevard, according to court documents.
David C. Frazier is suing the city in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court in Indian River County for negligence and vicarious liability. His wife, Deborah R. Frazier, is also a plaintiff in the suit and has filed a consortium claim against the city for the same incident, according to the complaint.
Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine that holds one party – in this case, the city – responsible for the wrongful acts or negligence of another – in this case, the officer driving the vehicle. A consortium claim is made by a spouse or other family member for non-economic damages, such as lost companionship, affection, intimacy or support…