Pedestrian dies after fatal accident in Massachusetts

On behalf of Aiken and Aiken P.C. Personal Injury Attorneys posted in Wrongful Death, on Friday, February 28, 2014

Every year, thousands of Massachusetts residents suffer injuries in traffic accidents. Most are lucky to escape with minor cuts and bruises, but some suffer more severe injuries. And a few lose their lives, often leaving behind grieving family members.One such fatal accident recently occurred in Northbridge. A 74-year-old local man died following a hit-and-run accident. According to Northbridge police, a red Taurus struck the victim as he was crossing a street during a recent morning. The driver did not stop after hitting the man. The victim was transported by helicopter to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where he was pronounced dead.Shortly after the accident, police stopped a car that matched witnesses’ descriptions and apprehended the 93-year-old man who allegedly struck the pedestrian. The long-time resident of Northbridge may face felony charges, depending on the results of an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Accident Reconstruction Team and other agencies.In a fatal accident like this one, the findings from an investigation often conclude that the accident could have been avoided if the driver was more attentive when operating his or her vehicle. In such cases, family members of the person killed can file a wrongful death lawsuit that holds the negligent driver accountable for the pain and suffering suffered by the victim before death.In Massachusetts, family members of someone killed in an accident can also seek compensation from a negligent driver’s insurance company. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, the victim’s family can also file a claim against the victim’s own insurance carrier.Tackling an insurance company and a negligent driver, however, is never easy, even for legal professionals, let alone grieving family members. For that reason, they may choose to speak with an attorney who can negotiate on their behalf or even go to court, if required. Source: The Milford Daily News, “Northbridge pedestrian dies after hit and run,” Lindsay Corcoran, Feb. 15, 2014