While walking to and from a destination at night can be dangerous, this isn’t the only time a pedestrian might face a potential hazard. Motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians can be disastrous, and even in daylight, a person’s safety can be placed in jeopardy if the driver of a vehicle isn’t paying attention or fails to adhere to traffic laws. A recent collision in West Virginia has reportedly left a 20-year-old college student in critical condition.
The incident took place at around 10:30 a.m. while the woman was attempting to cross the street in a crosswalk. Authorities say she was struck by a pickup truck and was rushed to the hospital to undergo surgery soon thereafter, where she remains in critical condition. According to reports, she is the second student to be struck while traversing a crosswalk in the past month.
Although law enforcement agents have initiated an investigation into the incident, no information was provided as to what might have caused it to take place. Crosswalks are in place at intersections to allow pedestrians safe passage, but even if a person is clearly visible to drivers, proceeding with caution before using a crosswalk is advisable. Should a driver fail to see a person, or fail to adhere to right-of-way laws, the result can be catastrophic.
Should the investigation determine the driver to be responsible for the accident, the victim may be entitled to pursue restitution accordingly. Those who suffer serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents under similar circumstances could speak with an experienced attorney for assistance in navigating the process. An attorney can examine the incident and assist a client in West Virginia in pursuing the full amount of compensation entitled through a personal injury claim.
Source: wvmetronews.com, “WVU student remains in critical condition following accident“, Alex Wiederspiel, Feb. 21, 2018
