A tragic death occurred in Maryland on a recent Thursday morning. The death resulted after the driver of a vehicle seemingly lost control and crashed. The incident involved a person standing in a driveway. Pedestrian accidents that lead to fatalities sometimes result in legal claims filed in civil courts.
The recent case began when a motorist apparently lost control of her vehicle and careened across three lanes of traffic. Reports indicate that her vehicle struck a pole, then veered off the road and into a private driveway in the area. A 45-year-old woman who was standing in the driveway was reportedly struck by the vehicle. She was taken to a Bethesda hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the vehicle that left the road is also said to have suffered personal injury in the crash. She was taken to a nearby facility for treatment. Police investigating the case have publicized a telephone number, asking anyone with information about the collision to call.
In Maryland and all other jurisdictions in the United States, those who suffer the loss of loved ones in pedestrian accidents have the right to pursue legal actions against parties deemed at fault. When a motorist's negligence has resulted in the death of someone on foot, the motorist can be held liable for damages in a civil court. Medical bills, as well as any expenses incurred during pre-death care, funeral expenses or other financial losses associated with an accident are often alleviated by a compensatory award ordered by the court in a successfully litigated case.
Source: Wheaton, MD Patch, "Pedestrian Killed in Wheaton Accident", Deb Belt, July 16, 2015