A day after a hit-and-run accident took the life of a man riding a Lime Scooter, police arrested a man they believe was driving the vehicle in the incident. It happened Thursday early morning at N. Crestline Street and E. Wellesley Avenue when an SUV struck a pedestrian and then fled the scene.
The pedestrian died at the scene, and police began the search for the vehicle and the driver by setting up a perimeter and using police helicopters. The SUV involved in the vehicle was found within a few hours, and the driver was arrested the next day.
Police say that the man has been charged with vehicular homicide and felony hit-and-run. The accident is still under investigation, and it’s unknown if any additional charges will be filed.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
A recent report from the American Automobile Association says that hit-and-run fatalities are at an all-time high. In 2018, there were 2049 hit-and-run death in the U.S. which is a 62 percent increase from deaths in 2009.
Pedestrians and cyclists are taking the brunt of these as the two groups account for over 65 percent of all hit-and-run fatalities. The same report says that 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths each year are from hit-and-run crashes.
Hit-and-Run Injuries
The problem with a hit-and-run injury is the added risk of death or a more serious injury when the driver flees the scene. In a typical accident, it’s often the case where the at-fault driver is not seriously injured and becomes the one who calls for help or administers first aid.
If the driver flees, then help and treatment might be delayed as the injured victims might have to wait for a passerby to assist them.
Injuries at Further Risk in a Hit-and-Run
Because of the delayed help in many hit-and-run accidents, certain injuries are at risk of become exacerbated by the delay in getting help. Some of these are:
- Neck Injuries: If a neck injury isn’t stabilized soon, any movement might make the injury worse.
- Deep lacerations: Blood loss is a significant problem in a serious accident. Any delay in first aid can bring on further injuries or death.
- Punctured Lungs: A displaced rib can puncture a lung which can impede the victim’s ability to get oxygen to the brain.
- Heart Attack: Heart attacks are common at accident scenes, and if help isn’t timely, the person could experience permanent damage or even death.
- Pregnancy/Delivery: An accident can put a pregnant woman into labor, and the sooner trained EMT personnel arrive the better chance mother and child have.
Contact a Spokane Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you should at least talk to an attorney who can advise you of your rights and can inform you of the insurance coverage available to you. At  Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S., we offer a free consultation so you can make an informed decision.
We serve clients in Spokane, Washington, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and surrounding communities. They can go toe-to-toe with the insurance companies and their lawyers to get you fair compensation for your injuries. Call them at (509) 926-4900, or send them a message by clicking here.
