Erik Ermanovics killed in Lindenhurst crash, according to police.

FATAL HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Suffolk County crime scene investigators examined the area where the pedestrian was struck, documenting the roadway, photographing the scene and collecting physical evidence that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the collision. Investigators are expected to consider factors such as the vehicle involved, roadway conditions, visibility, lighting, traffic patterns and the actions of those involved.

In cases such as this, national legal analyst Candice Bond has emphasized the importance of conducting a prompt and independent investigation following a fatal hit-and-run. A thorough review can help preserve evidence that may otherwise disappear or become difficult to evaluate as time passes.

Bond has also noted that establishing how a pedestrian collision occurred may require examination of more than the vehicle and point of impact. Road design, lighting, signage, visibility and other environmental conditions can potentially become important when determining whether negligence contributed to a fatal crash.

Hit-and-run crashes remain a serious national road-safety concern. According to the information cited by Accident Injury News, roughly 2,000 people die each year in hit-and-run crashes across the United States, while fatal hit-and-run incidents have increased substantially over the years.

For families dealing with a fatal pedestrian collision, identifying what happened before and after the impact can be especially important. Evidence from the roadway, vehicle, witnesses and investigative records may help establish the sequence of events and determine whether additional civil claims are available.

WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

Depending on the findings of the investigation, the family of Erik Ermanovics could potentially have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim related to the fatal crash.

Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal and a national legal analyst, explains that wrongful death claims generally arise when a person’s death results from another party’s wrongful, negligent or otherwise legally actionable conduct. In vehicle-related fatalities, potential circumstances can include distracted driving, aggressive driving, speeding, impaired driving or leaving the scene of a crash.

In cases such as this, a civil claim is separate from the criminal case against an accused driver. The outcome of the criminal proceedings does not necessarily determine whether surviving family members may pursue compensation through a civil action.

Depending on the applicable law and facts established through the investigation, damages in a wrongful death case may include medical expenses associated with the final treatment, funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship and certain forms of emotional suffering.

A careful review of the police investigation, available evidence and circumstances surrounding the collision would be important in determining whether a viable wrongful death claim exists.

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