Many West Virginia residents include walking as part of their regular routine, whether for health purposes or as a method of transportation. Certainly, anyone participating in this type of activity understands the risks involved, especially when walking routes include urban areas where pedestrians often must share space with various types of motorized vehicles. Even pedestrians who follow all the rules sometimes encounter drivers guilty of negligent and/or reckless behavior. Unfortunately, a Morgantown woman was killed recently when she was hit by a vehicle as she was walking, and if the driver is found responsible, her family may consider suing him or her for wrongful death.
The incident happened early on a Sunday evening on Grafton Rd. in Morgantown. According to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle struck a pedestrian in front of Whitetail Crossing. The pedestrian was later identified by police as a 37-year-old woman.
The victim was taken to a local hospital, but she has since died from her injuries. Reportedly, the driver of the vehicle that hit her was not injured in the collision. The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the incident.
Unfortunately, accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians can easily happen, whether in West Virginia or anywhere else. While pedestrians can be at fault, drivers often cause these collisions due to driver distraction, speeding, driving while impaired, or some other form of negligence or recklessness. Whatever the reason for this incident, sadly, it resulted in a woman’s death. Her family now faces not only the loss of their loved one but possibly also unexpected expenses that tend to follow such tragedies, including hospital and funeral costs and even lost future income. If evidence found during the investigation indicates the driver was at fault, the victim’s family may want to sit down with an attorney who can determine their options moving forward, including the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit.
