Fatal accidents involving pedestrians seem so avoidable. If only the driver of the vehicle had been able to stop, or if the vehicle had not been traveling so fast. . . . Even when the victim survives, the after-effects can ruin a life. A recent pedestrian accident in Dillon demonstrates the devastating impact of a pedestrian collision.
The accident
The victim, a 72-year-old woman from Dillon, was walking on a sidewalk in Dillon when she was struck by a pickup truck. According to witnesses, the driver immediately fled the scene. The Dillon police chief said that many passersby stopped and offered assistance to the victim. The witnesses provided what the police characterized as excellent descriptions of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian. Using these descriptions the police were able to quickly apprehend the driver of the truck. The 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with failing to render reasonable assistance at the scene, driving a motor vehicle without liability insurance, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, careless driving and failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian. The driver was being held in the Beaverhead County Detention Center.
The aftermath
The victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent several surgeries. According to the police chief, she was doing as well as could be expected.
Recovering damages
The victim in this case has plainly suffered a number of serious injuries, and she may have a lengthy and difficult recovery period. In such cases, the victim or family members may wish to pursue a claim for damages against the party at fault. The facts released so far appear to leave little doubt that the driver of the pick-up truck was negligent and is therefore liable for the woman’s injuries. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can provide valuable assistance in evaluating the evidence, dealing with truck driver’s apparent lack of liability insurance, and providing an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
