On Sunday afternoon, a pedestrian was struck and killed on Kimberly Avenue. Virginia Senechal, 66 years old, was just returning from a visit to the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. The incident happened in the 400 block of Kimberly Avenue. According to WLOS ABC Channel 13 News, she was struck by a 29-year-old driver named Maximilian Alexander.
Reckless Driving and Death by Vehicle
Alexander has been charged with reckless driving and misdemeanor death by vehicle. He was released on a $2000 bond. Very few details have been released about this crash. Other than ‘reckless driving,’ authorities haven’t made it entirely clear how the victim was struck. Was the driver distracted, speeding or violating roadway safety signs and signals?
Pedestrian Safety in Asheville
Sadly, fatal and injury-causing pedestrian accidents in and around Asheville have been popping up in the news frequently this year. Last week, we reported on an 11-year-old boy who was struck by a car. The weather is beautiful and roadway users aren’t limited to passenger vehicle occupants. Pedestrian safety needs to be a top priority for motorists in Asheville and across the state.
Everyone is a Pedestrian
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Everyone is a Pedestrian” campaign is aimed at raising awareness about pedestrian safety in the U.S. In 2012, there were 4,743 pedestrian deaths across the country. Pedestrians are actually one of the few groups of roadway users that continue to experience an increase in fatalities each year. According to the NHTSA, 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and an estimated three percent of injured victims in traffic crashes are pedestrians.
After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident
After a pedestrian or bicycle accident, it’s a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. In North Carolina, it can be difficult to recover compensation for injuries and wrongful death lawsuits due to contributory negligence issues. If a claims adjuster can show that the victim was even 1 percent at fault for the accident, recovering compensation to cover damages will be impossible. Speak with your attorney first, before giving insurance adjusters any information that they could twist around to deny your claim. The team at Davis Law Group, P.A. sends their deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Virginia Senechal.