Imagine losing a loved one in a motor vehicle accident and not knowing why. Unfortunately, families are often left with just these types of feelings in hit-and-run motor vehicle accidents. In a recent accident in Missouri not one, but two families were left with unanswered questions as they struggle to come to terms with the tragic losses of their loved ones.

On a recent Sunday morning, two people were killed as a result of a two-car, hit-and-run accident in Kansas City. A driver of one of the vehicles ran, on foot, from the scene after impact, leaving an injured passenger behind. A local Lee’s Summit woman was the passenger in the other vehicle and was killed instantly. Her boyfriend (who was the driver of their vehicle) was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he subsequently died.

The car accident left two children motherless and two families mourning. The losses also affected the community, as those that were close to the couple grieve as well. Both fatal victims were involved in the Make a Wish Foundation because of the woman’s daughter, who is medically ill. The passenger left behind in the other vehicle also sustained injuries in the crash, though she was last listed in stable condition. The accident is still being investigated as local officials are still looking for the driver that ran from the accident.

These types of motor vehicle accidents often leave families confused. After the investigation, there will be several decisions for these families to make. Depending on the results of a full investigation, the surviving family members may elect to pursue a Missouri wrongful death civil claim against any party whose negligence is deemed to have caused or contributed to the fatal collision. The other passenger injured may also choose to file a claim. Sadly, the upcoming weeks and months will be a challenge to get through for all of those involved.

Source: fox4kc.com, Victims in Sunday’s deadly hit-and-run crash identified, Tess Koppelman, Aug. 14, 2013