Authorities in Maryland have reported that neither drugs nor alcohol appear to have contributed to an Oct. 28 accident that claimed the life of a 23-year-old pedestrian in Annapolis. The incident reportedly took place at approximately 3:18 p.m on Duke of Gloucester Street in the vicinity of Green Street.
That is where a southbound BMW sedan driven by an 81-year-old man struck the open door of a parked vehicle, authorities stated. The octogenarian’s vehicle then crossed over to the northbound lane and mounted the curb, where it struck the 23-year-old woman, who had been walking with her family on the sidewalk. The woman is said to have been walking with her family when she was struck by the car.
Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene and transported the woman by ambulance to the Anne Arundel Medical Center, where she eventually succumbed to her injuries. The 81-year-old man remained at the scene of the crash and cooperated with police, authorities said. According to a school crossing guard who was on duty at the time, the sidewalk had been crowded with children just minutes before the accident.
Families who lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident may pursue civil remedies for the damages they suffered even if the at-fault party did not face criminal sanctions. A personal injury attorney representing the bereaved family may file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court if it can be proven that the fatal motor vehicle accident was caused by another party’s negligence. This type of lawsuit may seek compensation for the bereaved family’s expenses, such as medical bills, funeral costs and expenses associated with the decedent’s estate administration. Moreover, the lawsuit may seek restitution for lost income associated with the decedent.
