Highway travel can be very dangerous because the higher speed limits often leave little time for drivers to react to changing conditions in front of them. Any accident along a major roadway can result in more collisions as other drivers come upon a scene. A distracted driver may not notice vehicles or pedestrians in the road in time to avoid another crash.
These tragic and frightening events could be avoided if drivers slowed down and traveled at a speed safe for conditions when they are unsure of what’s occurred in front of them. Accident victims and those out of their cars should always be shown a “duty of care” from other drivers, day or night, and no matter what the circumstances.
Good Samaritan Killed in Fresno County Hit-And-Run Accident
One person was killed and another person injured following two accidents in Fresno County early Wednesday morning. ABC30-TV reports the accident happened around 12:30 a.m. along Highway 99 north of Selma near Manning Avenue on February 10, 2021.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) says it all started when the driver of a white Hyundai struck the back of a tractor-trailer. A woman in another vehicle then stopped to try to help the victim in the car. Investigators say her car pulled over in the median and she got out. She was then struck by what’s believed to be a red SUV. The SUVs drive then sped away from the scene.
The woman struck died from her injuries. The driver of the Hyundai was found to have injuries and was taken to Community Regional Medical Center.
The CHP continues to look for the hit-and-run suspect. If anyone has any information on the driver or the red SUV they are asked to call the Highway Patrol.
Help for Victims and Families After a Hit-And-Run Accident
A highway accident not only leaves victims in its wake, but it can also leave families behind to try to cope with the loss of a loved one. The tragedy of this loss is only magnified by a driver who chooses to leave the scene of an accident to avoid accepting blame.
If the driver escapes justice the family of the victim may be left alone to face the costs of ambulance services, funeral and burial expenses, and have to deal with the loss of income the victim had always provided through their employment. The emotional toll it will take on family members in the months and years to come will also be a considerable hardship.
In these difficult cases, a family can file a claim with the victim’s own car insurance policy to protect the family’s financial future. The claim can also utilize a family member’s auto policy that the victim may have been covered on. The claim would call upon the part of coverage dealing with uninsured motorists since the guilty party has not been found.
In the event there’s good news and a hit-and-run suspect is located and arrested, a wrongful death claim can move forward against that driver’s insurance company. The driver will be dealing with criminal proceedings over his or her hit-and-run charges, but a family is still permitted to open a civil case that would be settled separately.
Contact A Fresno Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member are the victims of another driver, don’t wait to get help. Contact a Fresno Car Accident Attorney with Maison Law for a free consultation on your case. It’s your right to know what’s available to recovering victims and to families who have had a loved one taken from them. Don’t trust insurance companies to inform you of everything you should know in the aftermath of a tragedy.
