Solar glare may have been factor in fatal pedestrian crash

On Sept. 23, a 70-year-old Massachusetts woman died in a pedestrian-related auto accident in the city of Dedham. The motorist who was involved in the fatal crash did not report any injuries.

The fatal pedestrian accident transpired around 7 a.m. when a 25-year-old man driving a pickup truck on High Street struck a female pedestrian. According to the report, the man stopped his truck along the shoulder of the roadway and made a call to 911. Law enforcement officials stated that he seemed to be emotionally distressed.

When police arrived, they found the woman in a nearby parking lot. Emergency crews took her to a local hospital for treatment, but she later succumbed to her injuries. An ambulance transported the man to a nearby hospital for evaluation as well.

Officials said that the investigation into the pedestrian accident was ongoing; however, they suspect that solar glare may possibly have contributed to the crash. Police did not issue the driver any citations at the time of the report.

When a family learns that a loved one died in a pedestrian accident, a wrongful death lawsuit may be in order. Through such a claim, the family may be able to hold the driver liable for damages if he or she caused the incident through negligent conduct such as speeding, careless driving or driving under the influence.

To find out if they are eligible for such a filing, a New York lawyer may be able to help the family. By looking into the official accident report, witness statements and any possible traffic footage of the wreck, a lawyer might be able to determine if negligence was a factor in causing the fatal accident. If the family is compensated, it could account for their accident-related losses.

Source: MyFOXBoston.com, “Fatal crash takes life of Dedham woman”, Ashley Troutman, September 23, 2014