Teen pedestrian killed by oncoming vehicle

Car accidents involving pedestrians can be some of the most devastating of all. Pedestrians lack the protection provided by a vehicle and are therefore are at risk of immediate death upon impact. Sadly, this was the case for a 16-year-old Pennsylvania boy who died early this month in a tragic hit and run car accident.

The boy was walking home from a prom after party when a driver struck him with his Jeep. The 20-year-old driver drove off the road and into a grassy area where the teen was walking. The teen died of blunt force trauma as a result of the accident. Authorities are still waiting on toxicology test results to see if the driver was intoxicated at the time of the wreck.

The driver fled the scene of the crash but was taken into custody at his home later that evening. He has been questioned by officials, who believe alcohol may have been a factor.

If a pedestrian is injured in an accident, he can file a lawsuit against the driver responsible. In order to recover damages, the pedestrian must show that the driver was negligent and that negligence caused the victim’s injuries. However, if the pedestrian is partially responsible for the accident, the amount he can recover, if he succeeds on his claim, may be reduced.

When a family loses a loved one in a tragic accident, they can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who caused the fatal crash. In order for the suit to be successful, the family will have to show that the driver was indeed at-fault in the accident. This can be done by taking witness statements and examining police reports for traffic violations. Once the driver’s negligence is established, the family may be awarded compensation for their loss if the negligence can be shown to have caused the deceased’s death. This compensation can help cover funeral expenses, lost companionship, and lost wages, which can assist a family with finding stability and closure in a time of grief.

Source:Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Teen killed in crash while walking home from prom afterparty,” May 14, 2016