Arizona families often enjoy taking a stroll with their young ones to enjoy the weather and get some fresh air. Although this is considered a relatively safe and enjoyable activity, families should be aware of some of the risks that they might encounter. This is especially true if they are walking near or on roadways. Even when pedestrians are walking on sidewalks, a distracted or negligent driver could collide with a pedestrian, causing an auto-pedestrian accident.
A shocking and tragic accident recently occurred in Phoenix when a vehicle struck a toddler in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart. According to reports, the fatal automobile collision happened around 1 p.m. as the babysitter of the three-year-old boy was pushing the toddler in a stroller across a private access road located on Desert Sky Esplanade at the intersection of 75th Avenue and McDowell Road.
Authorities believe that the babysitter was attempting to cross the private road when the 22-year-old driver struck them. Reports indicated that the driver stopped at a nearby stop sign, but continued on, which caused him to strike the woman and the stroller.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene. The young boy did not survive the injuries from the crash. The babysitter only suffered moderate injuries in the collision. Investigators are working on determining the cause of the crash. They are still trying to establish whether negligence or recklessness was a factor, because it appears that the driver and the pedestrian did not see each other before the accident occurred.
Following a fatal crash, those affected might have a cause of action if the driver who caused the accident was found to be negligent in some manner. The loved ones of the deceased could file a wrongful death claim. This could result in them being able to recover compensation, which could be used toward expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, damages and pain and suffering.
A sudden and tragic accident can be very life-altering. Family members are often devastated when the life of a loved one is taken away much too soon. This also could complicate the process involved in a civil action. Emotions can often be difficult to control and losses challenging to cope with, so it is important that family members seek out assistance in order to protect their rights and serve their best interests.
Source: The Republic, “Toddler in stroller hit, killed by vehicle in west Phoenix,” D.S. Woodfill, Mar. 21, 2014