Driving a motor vehicle without sufficient rest can have deadly consequences. That risk is not limited to truck drivers. Commuters sometimes drive after working long shifts, placing themselves and others in or near the roadway in danger. Car accidents caused by sleepy drivers are often deadly, as was the one that recently caused the death of a Pennsylvania pedestrian.
Troopers reported that a 51-year-old pedestrian was at an intersection in Fayette County on a recent Wednesday morning at just about 6:30 a.m. He was reportedly on his way to catch a ride to work with his boss. A 21-year-old driver of a sports utility vehicle, who was on his way home after work, apparently fell asleep while driving. His vehicle drifted onto the road shoulder and struck the pedestrian.
After the impact, the SUV continued pushing the pedestrian forward until the vehicle came to a halt on the road shoulder. The pedestrian died at the scene of the accident. No mention was made of any charges or citations filed against the driver.
Understandably, learning of unexpected deaths of loved ones in car accidents is traumatizing. The sudden loss of income along with end-of-life expenses are not typically part of a family’s budget, and the financial implications can be crippling. The surviving family members might pursue financial relief if the evidence suggests that the death of a loved one was caused by the negligent actions of another party. A wrongful death claim may be filed in a Pennsylvania civil court, and if successfully navigated, documented financial losses may form part of a monetary judgment.
Source: CBS Pittsburgh, “Man Killed In Fayette Co. Pedestrian Accident“, Ross Guidotti, Aug. 26, 2015