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On an urban street in Hampton Roads a car hits a pedestrian early in the morning and drives away from the scene. It’s an all too familiar scenario in Hampton Roads and one that happened again this morning, according to police.
I was saddened to read about how a car struck a man in the 800 block of London Blvd. in Portsmouth close to the Hardees restaurant and left the scene around 6:30 a.m.
WAVY reported on how the victim was taken to Maryview Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which police say were not life-threatening.
Police said very little information was available about the car that hit the pedestrian, except for the fact that it was dark in color and a man was driving it.
This accident serves as another reminder of how drivers routinely treat pedestrians with contempt on the streets of Hampton Roads. Even if you are not liable for a crash, the situation changes markedly when you flee the accident scene.
This month Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers has been highlighting pedestrian rights and accidents that involve people on foot.
Portsmouth has an unenviable reputation for accidents involving pedestrians.
In 2014 a Sri Lankan was hit and killed by a police cruiser on Portsmouth Boulevard. The officer was later cleared of reckless driving.
In many cases pedestrians are hit and hurt because cars are driving too fast or a driver is inattentive or even drunk. There’s an old adage that “the pedestrian has the right of way.” It’s not always true but drivers can be liable for crashes involving pedestrians in a number of different scenarios.
Even the safest and most cautious people on foot cannot always protect themselves against every negligent driver. If you are hit while walking in a crosswalk, the fault of the driver is especially clear. There are clear rules in Virginia about the responsibilities of drivers when they approach crosswalks. Even if you are not on a crosswalk you may have rights to recover for your injuries, depending on the circumstances. If you have been injured in a car-pedestrian or car-bicycle accident, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.
If you have been hit by a driver who leaves the scene you may be able to claim on your own insurance policy for your injuries. However, hit and run drivers are often tracked down. For further information call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 for a free consultation.