A woman was injured in a Modesto car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a news report in The Modesto Bee, the pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Belharbour Drive and Roselle Avenue in east Modesto, the night of October 31, 2011. Officials say the vehicle in the left lane came to a stop to allow the pedestrian to cross the road, but a car in the right lane drove into the crosswalk and struck her. The victim sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. It is unclear from the report if the driver will be cited for the collision.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this Modesto accident. I wish her the best for a complete and quick recovery.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 92 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Modesto. In Stanislaus County as a whole, pedestrian accidents claimed eight lives and caused 167 injuries, during the same year.

Crosswalk Law

Based on this news report, it appears the victim was crossing the road in a crosswalk at an intersection. California law requires motorists to yield the right of way to pedestrians who are walking in marked and unmarked crosswalks.

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."

Liability Issues

Victims of negligent car drivers can seek financial compensation for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim. In such cases, an experienced Modesto personal injury lawyer can help the victim pursue compensation for medical expenses, hospitalization, rehabilitation services, and other related damages. The best personal injury attorneys will always provide a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to car accident victims and their families.