Most people have not been victims of hit-and-run accidents. It is difficult for most of us to even come up with anyone we know who has been. Shockingly and unexpectedly, a basic Internet search reveals several recent hit-and-run collisions in the greater Toronto area:
- July 17: An elderly woman leaving an evening wedding in Brampton was struck and killed by a car that did not stop. The driver was found by other wedding guests and arrested.
- June 17: A 21-year-old woman was struck by a van in the road outside her Toronto apartment in the early morning hours. She had been lying in the road for unknown reasons and the driver failed to stop at the scene.
- June 17: A 25-year-old woman was struck by a van during the night in the east end. She died from her injuries a couple of days later.
- July 2: A young man near York University was struck by a car that did not stop, although another man has been arrested in connected with the failure to stop. The victim had serious injuries that were not life-threatening.
Cars and other kinds of motor vehicles may hit other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians. To say nothing of the ethical issues raised when a motorist leaves the scene of an accident without helping those injured, it is of course also illegal under both the federal and provincial laws to leave the scene.
Even if no one was injured or the moving vehicle hit an unoccupied parked vehicle, there could still be major property damage to the struck car, van or truck.
Anyone who is the victim of a hit and run should seek legal advice as soon as possible from a personal injury lawyer, as should the surviving family members of anyone who was killed under these circumstances. Legal counsel can launch an investigation of the matter on behalf of the victim, communicate with involved law enforcement and insurers, and provide information about potential legal remedies such as a lawsuit for the damages related to the crash.
If you, a friend or a family member are victims of someone’s negligence and suffering from injuries and losses, contact us to speak to one of our lawyers to know your rights and what steps you should be taking in order to protect your rights for the future.
