Jeffrey Wall Killed in Harlingen, TX, Hit-and-run Accident
Harlingen, TX -- January 24, 2017, Jeffrey Wall was killed following an accident where a vehicle struck him in the roadway and fled the scene.
The fatal pedestrian accident occurred near the intersection of Tyler Avenue and H Street at around 9:00 p.m.
According to preliminary police reports, 52-year-old Wall was walking across Tyler Avenue when a vehicle drove through the scene and struck him. The driver then left Wall on the roadway with critical injuries and fled the scene.
Reports say that Wall suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Authorities stated that the suspect vehicle was found close to the accident scene, but the driver was not there. The driver apparently turned himself the following afternoon. He is being charged with accident involving death.
No further details are currently available.
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Commentary
It's at least good to see that the hit-and-run driver is in custody and will be facing consequences for their actions. Often times hit-and-run accidents are made that much more difficult when authorities can't locate the driver. When that's the case, the victim and their family won't have any liable party from which to seek compensation. If the driver is caught or turns themselves in, then victims can seek compensation for their pains. However, many people assume that when a hit-and-run driver is caught, then those affected by the accident will automatically be compensated for the accident. This actually isn't the case.
When someone is accused of a crime in connection with a crash, this does not automatically entitle victims and their families to compensation. The charges the person's faces are not directly related to who is liable for the accident. For instance, an insurance company could easily contend that, while the driver fled the scene of the accident, they were never at fault for the accident in the first place. If a plaintiff is not prepared for this kind of opposition, they could be caught off guard and find themselves at a disadvantage.
Insurance companies depend on the fact that a plaintiff's representation can be intimidated into settling for an amount of compensation far below what the victims deserve. However, by presenting these companies with a case built on solid evidence, victims and their families give themselves an opportunity to even the scales and pursue pair compensation. The burned may fall to them in these cases, but that burden doesn't have to be difficult. Proper experience and preparation can help those affected by car accidents to move forward towards a resolution.
--Grossman Law Offices
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