A 23-year-old woman died in an apparent hit-and-run accident approximately one hour east of Billings, Montana. She was walking with two other men along U.S. Highway 212, and she was reportedly intoxicated.
Prior to the accident, the trio hitched a ride from Busby, got out of the vehicle and decided to walk toward Crow Agency. The men then decided to head back to Busby. According to them, several semi-trucks drove passed and avoided hitting them. Shortly afterward, however, a semi-truck hit the woman, throwing her off the road. The truck left the scene.
An investigation into the crash is underway. Detectives are looking for other witnesses, although according to an officer the chances of finding the hit-and-run driver and vehicle are slim.
Motorists and pedestrians should both look after their own and other people's safety while on the road. While a pedestrian may partly be blamed for an accident, a motorist may still be held liable due to comparative fault. In this case, for instance, a driver should always be on the lookout for people on foot, and whenever a driver is involved in an accident the driver should stay at the scene, look after the victim and immediately report the accident.
Pedestrians are no match against a motorized vehicle during a collision. Injuries suffered in a truck accident can be serious or even fatal, either of which would have tremendous emotional and financial implications, including medical, funeral and other expenses.
In the event of a pedestrian fatality, the victim's family may file a wrongful death suit. A strong case can help the victim or the victim's surviving family establish the extent of fault of a negligent driver or truck company, as well as the right amount of compensation to help recover damages.