A 27-year-old woman was taken into custody after she allegedly hit a pedestrian with her car and then fled the scene. Police were called at about 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 15 to the scene of the accident at Pacific Coast Highway and 11th Street. When they arrived, they found the 72-year-old victim laying on the road, and he was rushed to UCI Medical Center. The man was originally listed in critical condition and would later succumb to his injuries at the hospital.
Based on information provided by witnesses, authorities were able to determine that a 2006 Nissan Xterra had struck the victim while traveling south on PCH. Police found a vehicle matching the description and with damage consistent with the accident about a mile away. After interviewing the woman, she was taken into custody on charges of DUI and felony hit-and-run resulting in death.
When an individual is killed in a car accident, the decedent’s family members may be able to file a wrongful death suit against the driver who caused the accident. This is true regardless of whether the other driver survives the crash. A personal injury attorney can work to assist the family of the victim in obtaining compensation for the wrongful death either through litigation or by settling outside of court.
A negotiated settlement may be appropriate in some cases as it may allow for faster resolution of the case. This may enable the family to feel closure and begin to move on with their lives. Through successful litigation, the family may be entitled to receive compensation for funeral and burial expenses and any medical bills incurred prior to death. It may also be possible to seek compensation for loss off support and companionship as well.
Source: CBS Los Angeles, “Police: Huntington Beach woman arrested in fatal hit-and-run crash”, Feb. 16, 2015