It is always sad to hear of a traffic fatality, especially when it involves a young person. An Ohio teenager was recently involved in a pedestrian accident. Unfortunately, the 17-year-old girl -- who was expected to graduate from high school in just a few short months -- died from her injuries.
The fatal car accident occurred on the afternoon of March 21. The girl was attempting to cross an intersection. She was using a marked crosswalk when a man in a pickup truck hit her while making a right turn. The teen later died at a local hospital.
It appears that the 50-year-old man, who was unharmed in the crash, was not drinking. However, Ohio Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident. It is unknown if the driver was or will be cited.
For the most part, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing a road. This especially applies in this case, where the girl was following traffic laws and using a marked crosswalk. As this shows, drivers should always remain aware of their surroundings before turning.
In general, if an accident investigation shows that the driver was negligent, that driver could face criminal charges for his role in the victim's death. In addition, the victim's family could pursue a lawsuit for wrongful death. A lawsuit may help the family recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of consortium and pain and suffering. They can also use the lawsuit as a way to move on from this tragic accident.
Source: FOX 8 Cleveland, "17-Year-Old Dies After Being Hit By Truck While Crossing Street," Kara Sutyak, March 21, 2014
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