Losing a loved one to a fatal car accident is something no family should have to endure. Sadly, fatal car accidents happen all the time in Virginia, leaving families to try desperately to pick up the pieces. Regrettably, a 68-year-old man was killed Tuesday night when he was hit by a pickup truck in Christiansburg.
According to the Roanoke Times, the man was wearing dark clothing as he walked down Roanoke Street around 11:30 that night. Police believe the pickup truck driver did not see the elderly man when he struck him. The victim died at the scene of the accident. Police say he was homeless. They do not plan to file charges against the driver.
Unfortunately, this tragic pedestrian accident shows how destructive car accidents can be. While the truck driver may not have seen the man walking down the street, drivers have a responsibility to be vigilant and cautious at all times when operating a motor vehicle. Even if a pedestrian crosses streets at appropriate places and wears bright clothing, an inattentive driver may still fail notice them. When this happens, families of victims should know that there are legal tools for holding a negligent driver accountable.
Even if police choose not to file charges against a driver, a victim’s family can still file a wrongful death lawsuit. If successful, a wrongful death lawsuit can result in compensation for funeral costs and other expenses related to the crash. Additionally, some families find that a successful lawsuit provides a feeling that justice has been served.
Source: The Roanoke Times, “Pedestrian hit by truck Tuesday in Christiansburg was homeless man, police say,” Melissa Powell, May 30, 2013