Pedestrian Fatally Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident
A 19-year-old man sustained fatal injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after a vehicle struck him at a Hacienda Heights intersection. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the March 7, 2010 fatal pedestrian accident happened at the intersection of Gale Avenue and Angelcrest Drive. California Highway Patrol officials said the man was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have said that the teen pedestrian may have been jaywalking at the time of the collision. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young man for their tragic, untimely and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep them in your prayers.
Los Angeles Car Accidents
There were 35 fatalities and 295 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, according to CHP's 2008 traffic accident statistics. Countywide, 214 deaths and 4,985 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2008.
What Caused This Accident?
This news article does not clearly state where the pedestrian was walking at the time of the collision. If he was in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked, the motorist should have yielded right-of-way to the pedestrian, under California Vehicle Code section 21950. However, the vehicle code states that pedestrians also have a responsibility to use the road safely and walk only in designated areas. Jaywalking is illegal as is running across a roadway or failing yield right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle.
Liability Issues
An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options. If the driver of the vehicle was determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable in this case. If there was a dangerous condition on this roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable as well. Any claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury under California Government Code section 911.2.
We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
