Pennsylvanians know that car accidents happen every day throughout the United States. They also know those car collisions sometimes have devastating consequences, including severe injuries and deaths. In many cases, these accidents are caused by driver negligence. Such behaviors as drunken, distracted and reckless driving by themselves increase the probability that a car crash will happen.
On a recent Saturday night, a motorist who had gotten out of a rental van to help his girlfriend was fatally struck by a vehicle owned by the city of Philadelphia.
Police reports say the 26-year-old man was following his girlfriend, who was driving her own vehicle, when she pulled over to the side of the Schuykill Expressway with car trouble. The man stopped his rented van and was walking to his girlfriend’s vehicle when he was struck by a street department vehicle.
According to the police, the city driver remained at the scene of the accident.
In any type of traffic accident, the relative fault of each party is determined, and the party found to be most negligent can be held liable for the victim’s damages, injuries or death. In cases like this one, the family of the victim who is killed should closely follow the police investigation to determine whether they should seek compensation from the presumed negligent party. Evidence uncovered by police can be used in a lawsuit.
Relatives can also hire a private investigator to gather evidence that supports their claim. Once substantial evidence has been gathered, the family can proceed with a wrongful death claim to compensate for their losses. A plaintiff can explore the available options that are most likely to bring maximum compensation.
Source: Penn Live, “Man struck, killed by Philadelphia city vehicle on I-76, police say,” April 13, 2014