A Pennsylvania community is in mourning after a tragedy that occurred on a recent Tuesday morning. The incident is a stark reminder that life is unpredictable. Families are often devastated when they unexpectedly lose a loved one to a motor vehicle collision.
Just before 8 a.m., a pickup truck was traveling a particular stretch of roadway in Franklin County. Moments later, rescuers were dispatched to the scene after the driver of the pickup truck struck a pedestrian. The person struck was a 10-year-old boy. Sadly, the child did not survive the injuries he suffered upon impact in the collision.
Blunt force trauma from two motor vehicles crashing often results in severe injuries, including those involving the brain. When a collision does not involve two vehicles, but one vehicle and a pedestrian, the result of the impact is often fatal. No information was provided about the driver in this case. Investigators are still working gather information regarding the events that transpired in the moments just before the pickup truck hit the child.
When a Pennsylvania parent or legal guardian loses a child in a motor vehicle accident, he or she may choose to file a wrongful death claim if there is evidence to show that another person’s negligence or reckless driving behavior was responsible for the child’s death. During such litigation, details of the tragedy in question are openly addressed in court, which is understandably emotionally traumatic for loved ones of the decedent. To help alleviate emotional stress and to ensure that their rights are protected, most parents and guardians hire personal injury law attorneys to act on their behalf in court.