While the number of traffic deaths has fallen by 4.5 percent from 2009 to 2011, the number of fatalities in hit-and-run accidents has actually increased by 13.7 percent in that same time period. One of the reasons that people don’t stop after hitting a person or another car might be because a driver had consumed alcohol.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 60 percent of hit-and-run fatalities involve pedestrians and alcohol is a major factor in many of these cases. When people don’t stop at an accident and take responsibility, they leave families with many unanswered questions in the wrongful death of their loved one.
After an accident, families not only have to mourn the loss of their loved one, but they will likely have a large financial adjustment to make on a monthly basis. People who are used to living off of two incomes or are totally dependent on their loved one’s income may have difficulty paying their bills after the loss of their loved one.
If a hit-and-run crime is solved, the person who is caught might be held accountable in criminal court. This might result in that person spending time in prison. However, this can sometimes do little to help the family of a wrongful death victim financially.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help a family understand their rights in Calcasieu. They can work to ensure a family is compensated to help pay for expenses that might arise after the loss of their family member.
Source: USA Today, “Fatal hit-and-run crash on rise in U.S.,” Larry Copeland, Nov. 10, 2013
