During the winter months, residents in Massachusetts are likely to encounter hazards and dangerous road conditions; however, risks on the road are not only associated with snow and ice on the roads. When a driver is careless, he or she could cause a crash. Whether a driver was being negligent, was distracted, speeding or being reckless, any of these actions could lead to a serious and even fatal accident.
Massachusetts’s emergency crews were recently dispatched to a fatal hit-and-run accident. Preliminary reports indicate that the accident occurred on Pleasant Street in Malden. The 71-year-old woman, who was injured in the accident, did not survive her severe injuries. Reports suggest that the elderly woman was a pedestrian when the vehicle struck her.
The accident is still under investigation and it is not clear if authorities have discovered who the hit-and-one driver is. Once investigation is complete, police will be able to determine cause and assign liability. If the driver that fled the scene was negligent and caused the crash, he or she could be held responsible for the injuries, deaths, damages and losses caused in the incident.
Following a fatal crash, family member could file a wrongful death claim. This action could help them recover compensation for the loss of a loved one. This could also help them cover expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and other related damages.
Whether it is the road conditions, a negligent driver or a combination of factors, it is important to understand the various dangers present on the roads. When a loved one is killed in a car accident, this is often a very difficult and emotional event to go through. It is often harder when a loved one is lost in a hit-and-run crash because family member are often left with several unanswered questions. In these matters, it is important to fully understand what options are available and what family members can do following a fatal car accident.
Source: Boston.com, “71-year-old woman killed in hit-and-run in Malden,” Eric Levenson, Dec 28, 2015
