Two Firefighters Injured by Drunk Driver
Two Belmont Hills Firefighters, Alex Fischer and Sam Shaffer, were injured in a vehicle accident involving an alleged intoxicated driver. An additional victim, Thomas Royds, also involved in the incident, did not survive.
The accident was caused by Jacquelyn Walker, 63, of New Jersey. Walker struck the firefighters and Pennsylvania State Trooper during a response to another crash on Interstate 76. The incident occurred in Lower Merion. Walker was charged with vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and other crimes.
Laws Aimed at Preventing Highway Accidents
Lawmakers acknowledge how risky it is for vehicles and people that have stopped on highways and have implemented safety laws intended to reduce this risk. Whether a person must pull over in a disabled vehicle, law enforcement or first responders are dealing with a situation, or construction workers are working, drivers are encouraged and/or required to slow down and move over when it is safe to do so.
Accidents happen despite the safety measures enacted to prevent them.
When a driver approaches a stopped vehicle or other situation on the side of the highway, they should:
- Slow down
- Yield to authorized vehicles
- Move into another lane if safe
- Discontinue use of their cell phone or other devices to avoid distractions
If a driver fails to do these things and/or commits other acts of negligence that put someone in harm’s way, they can be held responsible for their actions or inaction. They are liable if anyone is harmed.
Experience Attorneys Help Injured Parties Recover Compensation
Heavens Law has experience working with people who have been injured or have lost loved ones in highway accidents. We can investigate the scene of the events and determine what factors played a role in causing the crash. Our goal is to determine what went wrong and who involved should be held accountable.
Our experienced attorneys also understand the safety laws in place to prevent incidents such as the one listed above. We examine all factors involved in the accident to determine if anything other than the other driver’s negligence played a role.
At Heavens Law, we understand that people injured in highway accidents face serious medical challenges, many of which are long-term. Whether the event in question was caused by another driver’s negligence or recklessness, we can help.
For more information or to schedule a consultation to discuss the details of your case, contact Heavens Law at 484-467-8254. All phone consultations are free and confidential, with no obligation beyond that.
