Hit-and-Run Driver Seriously Injures Bicyclist
A bicycle rider is clinging to life in a Houston hospital after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in a well-lit area.
According to investigators, a man was riding his bike heading towards Houston Ave and Winter Street in a well-lit area and was struck by a white sedan. The bicyclist went flying into the air, while the car left the scene after the crash. Police said the man was transported to a nearby trauma center severely injured. They also said the bicyclist had ample lighting on his bike and should have been easy to see by the driver.
No other details were available.
Locating Hit-and-Run Tortfeasors
When little evidence is available at the scene, as is usually the case in these situations, police investigators often quickly stop looking into the matter. Their attitude comes into play as well. Many police officers view car crashes as civil matters that don’t merit law enforcement involvement.
When police officers give up, a Sugar Land car accident lawyer keeps working, usually by locating evidence such as:
- Additional Witness Statements: More than likely, especially in a downtown crash, someone saw something. These witnesses often don’t cooperate with law enforcement, for various reasons. However, these witnesses often do talk to a Missouri City personal injury lawyer.
- Surveillance Cameras: Cameras rarely capture the entire hit-and-run. If that was the case, the tortfeasor (negligent driver) probably would have remained at the scene. A camera several blocks away, or even several miles away, could catch a critical detail about a damaged vehicle that’s convincing evidence in court.
- Body Shops: Hit-and-run drivers try to stay under the radar. They don’t take their damaged vehicles to Service King. Instead, they take them to shady cash-only body shops. Attorneys have access to these owners, much like they access reluctant eyewitnesses.
A lot is at stake in these cases. The compensation in a hit-and-run wreck usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Holding Them Responsible
In criminal court, prosecutors must identify a hit-and-run driver beyond any reasonable doubt. The standard of proof in civil court (preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not) is much lower.
So, a little evidence goes a long way. Furthermore, a Missouri City personal injury lawyer doesn’t have to identify the driver, at least in most cases.
As mentioned, surveillance cameras often identify damaged vehicles and partial plate numbers. If a camera a few blocks from the accident scene spots a sedan with serious front end damage, it’s more likely than not that this vehicle caused the hit-and-run accident. It’s also more likely than not that the owner was driving a vehicle at a given moment.
Jurors intensely dislike hit-and-run drivers. So, the settlement value for these cases is quite high. Insurance companies are willing to pay extra to avoid a trial.
Work With a Diligent Fort Bend County Attorney
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Missouri City, contact the Henrietta Ezeoke Law Firm. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.
Source:
cw39.com/news/local/bicyclist-seriously-injured-in-hit-and-run-crash-near-downtown-houston-hpd-says/
