A 33-year-old man was seriously injured in a San Francisco car accident after a car struck him as he attempted to cross the street. According to a KTVU news report, the injury pedestrian accident occurred in San Francisco's Chinatown near Kearny and Washington streets, the morning of October 2, 2011. The man was crossing the road when a vehicle backed into him. He sustained life-threatening injuries and is being treated in a nearby hospital. The driver remained at the scene of the crash. It is unclear if the motorist will be cited for the collision.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this San Francisco accident. I wish him the very best for a full and quick recovery.

San Francisco Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 21 people were killed and 699 were injured in San Francisco pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 39 fatalities and 3,405 injuries reported involving San Francisco County car accidents.

What Caused This Serious Injury Accident?

It appears that the motorist involved in this major injury accident was backing up at the time of the crash. California Vehicle Code Section 22106 states: "No person shall start a vehicle stopped, standing, or parked on a highway, nor shall any person back a vehicle on a highway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety." Additionally, officials suspect that the pedestrian may have been crossing mid-block. I trust officials are looking into whether the driver was negligent, distracted or inattentive at the time.

Liability Issues

Victims of San Francisco car accidents may seek financial compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim. Negligent drivers may be held accountable for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. A skilled San Francisco personal injury lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the collision. If that was the case, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a governmental entity must be properly filed within six months of the incident under California Government Code Section 911.2.