The oft-used legal maxim “Justice delayed is justice denied” isn’t always true. One of the hardest things for the families of victims of hit-and-run accidents to deal with is the fact that their loved one’s killer got away Scot-free. It’s emotionally devastating and makes coming to grips with what happened all that much harder.
In a recent Texas case, “Better late than never” might be the more appropriate axiom. U.S. Marshals finally caught up with a man who was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run in November 2013. He was driving his pickup truck when he struck the minivan of an elderly couple. The driver of the minivan subsequently slammed into a barrier on the side of the road. Both the husband and wife were killed in the incident. The suspect fled the scene and was not located until recently, when authorities arrested him in his home and charged him with intoxication manslaughter.
While justice was delayed in this case, it’s encouraging to see that officials stuck with the investigation and eventually saw this alleged killer brought in for his crime.
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run, first call the police and make a report, then call a Louisiana attorney. He or she may be able to help you in several different ways. If police track down the perpetrator, a civil case can be filed against him or her for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. If not, the lawyer may guide you through the process of forcing an unwilling insurance company to provide compensation. Even if you don’t have proper coverage, there are still possibilities, so don’t give up hope.
Source: austin.twcnews.com, “Central Texas Man Arrested in 2013 Hit-and-Run,” May 20, 2014
