Snow- and ice-packed roadways are nothing out of the ordinary during the winter months in Connecticut; it is just another obstacle for users to be aware of and navigate through. When driving in winter weather, snow and ice often crowd the shoulders of the roads and can cause pedestrians to walk closer to the roadways due to inaccessible sidewalks. Recently, a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle brings to light the devastating effects of cluttered walkways and the parties responsible for ensuring clear passage along city and residential sidewalks.
Around 7 p.m., while walking the street, a pedestrian was hit by a motor vehicle and sent to the hospital with severe injuries. The driver claims that the man had been walking in the roadway while pushing a shopping cart. It was dark, and the sidewalks were stacked high with packed snow from the winter weather and the snow plows that had cleared the roads earlier in the day.
It is possible that the driver was unable to see the man who was on the shoulder of the road as he approached the intersection. The driver of the car was not injured, and it is unknown if any charges will be filed against him. The pedestrian, however, died at the hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained during the accident.
City ordinances differ from town to town, but in this particular area, property owners are expected to clear sidewalks in front of their homes within 24 hours of a snowfall. Connecticut authorities are still investigating the reason for the pedestrian to be walking along the road. As for the driver, authorities state that alcohol and speed were not factors in this case. The loss of a loved one can never be taken back, and the grieving family has the right to seek compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses and other costs that may accumulate as a result of a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle. In some cases, pain and suffering may also be awarded, which can help families to cope with the lost wages of a working family member.
Source: wfsb.com, Pedestrian killed after being hit by car in Manchester, WFSB Staff, Feb. 6, 2014
