A 34-year-old woman suspected of striking and killing a pedestrian and his dog in a crosswalk in Sandy Springs was released on a signature bond and then arrested again a day later after additional charges were added in the case. The incident leading to the charges occurred after officers arrived on a call of a hit-and-run. The suspect, who was driving a white sedan with a Florida tag, was discovered to have been speeding away from a separate hit-and-run accident when the crash with the pedestrian occurred.
The woman was initially booked into the Fulton County Jail on two counts of hit-and-run, first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and following too closely. Additional charges include speeding 68 in a 35, two counts of failure to obey a traffic control device, possession of schedule 1 narcotics, and cruelty to animals.
One of the questions we are often asked by our clients is: “If the at-fault party in my case was arrested after the accident and is in jail, can I still seek compensation?” While there are other eligibility considerations to be made in any accident case, as a general rule, you can seek compensation from an incarcerated person, provided they had insurance at the time in which the accident occurred. The criminal process of the arrest, investigation, trial, and conviction is a completely separate process than filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. Almost always, the claim is filed against the at-fault party’s auto insurance policy.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to a motor vehicle accident that was caused by someone else’s careless or reckless actions, let an experienced accident attorney from Cambre & Associates give you answers to the questions you have about obtaining compensation for your injuries. For a free case evaluation, contact us online or by calling (770) 502-6116.