Being a pedestrian in Philadelphia gets more dangerous by the day. Auto accident fatalities have been on a downward trend for many years, but pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise.
Unidentified Man Killed Walking in Lower Merion Township
Police say a man was struck by a motorist on City Avenue Tuesday, April 29, 2020, just north of Overbrook Parkway. EMS workers treated the man at the scene, but unfortunately, he died of his injuries after being transported to Lankenau Medical Center.
The driver of the car was not injured, and he stayed at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Police are asking for help in identifying the man who was described as being in his 50s or 60s, 6 foot, medium build wearing two shirts, a red Phillies shirt and a rose-colored NE Patriots shirt with “Free Brady” on the front.
Pedestrian Wrongful Death Cases on the Rise
When someone is killed due to another person’s negligence, then the family of the deceased can make a claim for wrongful death. With an increase in pedestrian fatalities in Philadelphia comes an increase in wrongful death claims, and many people don’t know the difference between a typical auto accident injury claim and a wrongful death claim.
This is understandable, and the biggest difference is who is able to make a claim for compensation. In a typical auto accident, the injured victim can make a claim directly against the person who negligently injured them.
However, in a wrongful death claim, the deceased can no longer bring a claim, so the right to seek compensation goes to surviving family members. These are typically close family members such as those living and dependent on the deceased. This includes the spouse and any children and can also include others who have been living with the deceased and were financially dependent on him or her.
Wrongful Death Damages
The law requires one person to be chosen by the family to bring the claim on behalf of all family members. Each member can add their own losses to the claim based on their relationship to the deceased and the losses sustained because of the death.
We can help you and your family in choosing a representative and in determining which losses can be claimed to make sure that each member gets the maximum compensation allowed by the law. We have helped numerous people seek wrongful death damages, and some of the more common of these damages claimed are:
- Medical bills before death: Any bills associated with the accident prior to the death of the victim.
- Loss of income: Those who are dependent on the deceased can claim a loss of income for the time during and after the claim is made.
- Psychological pain and suffering: Anguish and trauma from the loss of a loved one can be claimed.
- Loss of companionship and guidance: Typically reserved for children who are going to be denied the love and guidance of a parent.
- Loss of Consortium and companionship: The deceased spouse’s loss of physical intimacy and love and affection can be claimed.
- Funeral and burial costs: Based on the reasonable costs to the family for burying the deceased.
Contact a Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyer.
After any accident involving a fatality, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.