Anyone with a driver’s license knows that operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol puts him or her and everyone else on the road at risk. This includes those in other vehicles, those on bicycles and those on foot. In alcohol-related pedestrian vs. car accidents, the odds are high that the person on foot will come out of the situation worse than the driver of the vehicle.
For example, troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol recently responded to the scene of a crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle on a Friday night. As the man crossed a street near State Route 18 at approximately 9:30 p.m., a vehicle came barreling toward him and ran him down. The man survived the crash, but with critical injuries. Even though he made it to a hospital in the area, medical personnel there were unable to save his life.
Reports failed to indicate whether the 42-year-old man driving the vehicle in question suffered any injuries. However, troopers did reveal that they suspect alcohol played a role in this deadly accident. If the investigation, which is ongoing, confirms those suspicions, the driver could face significant criminal charges in connection with the accident and the victim’s death.
Regardless, the family of the pedestrian killed in this crash could exercise its right to file a wrongful death claim against the driver believed responsible. If evidence provided to an Ohio civil court proves that the death of their loved one resulted from the negligence of another party, an award of damages may be made. In order provide the court with the best possible evidence and pursue the most restitution possible, it may help to seek the counsel of an attorney who routinely handles cases arising out of fatal pedestrian vs. car accidents.
