When drivers strike pedestrians and cause injuries, they may either be sued, charged criminally, or both. An accident investigation is a crucial step in determining how these events will proceed.
Two pedestrians were struck on the same road in Arnold, Maryland late on a Tuesday night.
Multiple Maryland pedestrians hit within a short time frame
Law enforcement first learned of the situation when they received a 911 call regarding an incident on the 1200 block of Ritchie Highway. The accident happened when a man was struck by a car while he was in the middle of the roadway. Someone came out of their car toward the injured man on to assist, but he also ended up getting hit by another car.
The first victim was a 40 year old male who was being treated for serious injuries at R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Personnel at the scene believes that he has a minimal chance of survival. The second victim was a 36 year old male who was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center for treatment.
The local fire department said that both vehicles involved did remain at the scene to assist with the accident investigation and cooperated with law enforcement.
The accident investigation
Police and fire officials on the scene will try to determine why the first pedestrian entered the roadway and why the driver was not able to avoid a collision. When they publish their findings, this report will be used for insurance purposes and may also be used in court. This is important because they will make an opinion regarding the cause of the accident, which is often used to determine fault.
Insurance coverage and lawsuits
The drivers involved may have insurance policies that cover bodily injuries to those hurt in a car crash, but they may also be named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit. While insurance coverage is usually sufficient for vehicle repairs and minor property damage, serious accidents can become more complicated.
In a case such as this, the drivers will be attached to a negligence lawsuit that says they breached the normal duty of care required on the state’s roads. If one of the victims ends up dying, there may also be a wrongful death lawsuit based on the same incident. Both of these kinds of civil cases are meant to provide victims with compensation for various kinds of losses like medical expenses and lost income.
Get help from a local accident attorney
If you think that you may need to file a lawsuit after any kind of motor vehicle accident, contact Murnane and O’Neill Attorneys at Law. They help clients in Maryland and the Arnold area with professional legal services.