While school is in full swing, many incoming high school students may already be over their freshman jitters. Certainly, they are deciding what clubs they will join, looking forward to homecoming and making new friends. For one Pennsylvania girl, her first weeks of high school were spent in a hospital following a personal injury accident that recently resulted in the arrest of a driver.
Just before 3 p.m., the 14-year-old girl was crossing the street in the crosswalk outside the high school when an SUV struck her. Police say the 32-year-old driver was traveling about 46 mph in a 25-mph zone. Reports also indicate the man may have been distracted since he told police he was checking his watch when his son complained that they were late for a rock climbing lesson. He was charged with aggravated assault.
The impact of the SUV was forceful enough to throw the child into the air. She landed 102 feet from the crosswalk. Her parents told the media that their daughter suffered injuries to her liver, kidney, spleen, eyes and legs. She also suffered a concussion and multiple fractures to her vertebrae. Photos of the student suggest that she was a cheerleader; however, the severity of her injuries may make it difficult for her to continue this activity.
Parents suffer at the same time when their children are injured. In addition to the physical and emotional pain and hardships, this family will likely face months, if not years of struggle, which may include financial issues as they deal with medical bills and the cost of recovery. The advice of a personal injury attorney often proves invaluable to Pennsylvania parents whose children suffer because of another person’s negligence.
Source: philly.com, “Man charged in pedestrian crash in front of Abington High School“, Susan Snyder, Sept. 18, 2017
