So far no one has been arrested after a recent fatal hit-and-run accident in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. According to police, a black SUV was speeding when it hit a 51-year-old man who was crossing North Milwaukee Avenue in a crosswalk. A witness saw the pedestrian accident, which happened shortly after 12 a.m. on July 14.
The victim died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center about an hour after the collision. Numerous injuries contributed to his death, and if his family is aware of the accident, they are probably looking for answers.
Fatal hit-and-run accidents are some of the most difficult to fathom. Drivers flee crash sites for a number of reasons — maybe there is a warrant for the driver’s arrest, or maybe the driver is intoxicated and wants to avoid being arrested. In any case, there is no excuse for leaving an accident victim injured in the street.
Leaving the scene of an injurious accident is a form of negligence that is all too common. The family of a person who was killed by a hit-and-run driver may have grounds for a civil claim of wrongful death. Wrongful death lawsuits are meant to lead to some degree of compensation for surviving family members.
No amount of monetary award can bring back a deceased loved one, but this kind of lawsuit can give families a sense of justice in the wake of a senseless tragedy. Wrongful death claims are filed separately from any criminal charges against a wrongdoer, and Chicago residents with wrongful death concerns may do well to consult with an attorney and consider all of the available options.
Source: CBS Chicago, “Police: Pedestrian Killed In Avondale Hit-And-Run,” July 14, 2013
