A Pennsylvania teenager is in critical condition after being hit by a car. He was on vacation with some friends and was walking along the side of the road. There were several witnesses to the accident who say that the car hit the teenager and then sped off.
Getting in a car accident, especially as a pedestrian, can result in serious injuries and even death. This particular young man suffered serious head and leg injuries and required surgery. But while he recovers from his injuries, what sorts of penalties await the driver of the vehicle?
When the accident first occurred, law enforcement did not know who was responsible for the hit-and-run. Witnesses gave police a description of the vehicle they saw driving off after hitting the teenager. After searching, the vehicle was discovered with damage consistent with the accident.
Though the accident is still under investigation, police have arrested someone who is believed to have been behind the wheel when the young man was hit. Though the driver of the car was not the owner, he told police that he had been driving the vehicle the night of the accident.
The man who was arrested faces criminal charges that include leaving the scene of an accident, endangering, and not reporting an accident. Though the exact penalties are currently unknown, it is likely that he could face serious consequences for his actions that could include jail time.
With the investigation ongoing, there are a number of questions that arise in a situation like this. Was the driver aware that he had hit a pedestrian? Had the driver been distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs? Was the driver negligent in any way?
If negligence was the cause of the crash, the teenager could seek compensation for his injuries. This type of financial compensation can help with some of the unexpected medical costs that come up after an accident.
Source: Asbury Park Press online, “Arrest in hit-and-run accident that injured teen,” Margaret F. Bonafide and Michael Amsel, 18 June 2011