Palmer Township, PA (June 20, 2024) – A 77-year-old driver and an 18-year-old pedestrian are both hurt after a vehicle accelerated through a Giant Food Stores’ parking lot on Monday, June 17, striking the teen and crashing in front of the store, Palmer Township’s police chief said.
Township Police Chief Wayne Smith said the accident happened just after 1:00 p.m. Monday at Giant Food Stores on 801 South 25th Street. Smith added that the driver, for unknown reasons, accelerated, pushing the car through the store’s parking lot until it eventually crashed into the store’s front pillar. At least two people were rushed to a local hospital. However, police have not released the driver’s name, pending the investigation’s outcome, which includes a toxicology test and accident reconstruction. Nevertheless, the Palmer Township Police and Pennsylvania State Police are conducting a joint investigation now.
Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their loved ones at this time.
Pedestrian Accidents in Pennsylvania
Over the past few years, there has been an upsurge in pedestrian accidents in Pennsylvania. In fact, during this period, there has been an approximately 20% increase in pedestrian deaths. Of course, parking lots, crosswalks, intersections, and congested downtown areas are where pedestrian accidents occur most often. Furthermore, areas near schools and residential neighborhoods tend to have a higher rate of pedestrian accidents due to the increased number of pedestrians—especially children—in these areas.
Following the rules of the road, being aware of their surroundings, and driving carefully and alertly are all essential for drivers. After all, it is generally preventable to avoid catastrophic injuries or fatalities from pedestrian accidents, which are incredibly upsetting for the victims since they often cause long-term suffering and financial hardships. If the accident victim passes away due to the crash, their bereaved families usually have to carry a financial and emotional burden on their shoulders.
Insurance companies often use various tactics to deny or reduce claims related to pedestrian accidents, thus exacerbating the situation. They have the option to downplay the severity of the wounds or dispute the insured driver’s guilt. Nonetheless, the Slocum Firm’s Palmer Township pedestrian accident lawyers are skilled in handling these cases. We are committed to safeguarding our clients’ rights.
At the Slocum Firm, we understand what it takes to stand up for you and your loved ones. We will represent your best interests and work to ensure that you get fair compensation at every stage of the claims procedure. Call (570) 209-7376 to talk with our tenacious Palmer Township pedestrian accident lawyers about scheduling a free consultation and learning more about how our team will protect your rights after you’ve lost a loved one in an accident.
