When a person is involved in an accident, it is important to remain at the scene, assess the damages and ensure that everyone involved is safe no matter what type of accident occurred. When the accident causes serious or fatal injuries, those involved must wait for authorities to arrive. When a person involved in an accident flees the scene, they could face serious penalties including criminal and civil liabilities.
A Phoenix woman is facing serious penalties after a fatal hit-and-run accident. The 43-year-old woman has recently pleaded guilty to both leaving the scene of an injury accident and a misdemeanor DUI. According to reports, that woman struck another woman with her car. The woman who was hit was lying naked in the middle of the road. A witness stated that they saw the pedestrian take off her clothes and run into the street where she was struck.
The pedestrian did not survive the collision and authorities later conducted a breath test on the driver. The test registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.129, which is above the legal limit of 0.08. The driver has yet to be sentenced for the criminal charges.
In situations like this, the injured victim could file a lawsuit against the driver for the injuries sustained in the pedestrian accident. If the victim was killed, the loved ones of the deceased could file a wrongful death claim. The family can ask for compensation to cover the victim’s medical and funeral expenses, as well as the pain and suffering of the family.
A fatal accident is a difficult experience that a family must endure. Losing a loved one is a hard reality to deal with, and often, family members must also bear the expenses associated with the accident. Filing for compensation is often their best option to alleviate these financial hardships.
Source: azcentral.com, “Phoenix lawyer pleads guilty in fatal hit-and-run,” Sep. 30, 2013