Skateboarder Injured in Ventura Car Accident
Anthony Gourdine-Woodard, 22, was seriously injured in a Ventura car accident the night of February 17, 2010 after he collided with a vehicle while skateboarding. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the man was riding a skateboard down an incline on Ann Street, when he struck a car driven by 21-year-old Steven Greco, at the intersection of Ann and Poli streets. Gourdine-Woodard was taken to an area hospital with chest injuries and a broken pelvis. Police say a preliminary investigation shows that Gourdine-Woodard was at fault for the accident.
My heart goes out to the injured victim, Gourdine-Woodard. I hope his injuries are not catastrophic and that he makes a quick and complete recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
There were two fatalities and 47 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Ventura in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics. In Ventura County as a whole, eight deaths and 224 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.
Based on this news report, the skateboarder was at fault for the accident. Apparently, his friends were yelling out to him to stop when they saw an eastbound vehicle approaching the intersection. While it is the duty of motorists to yield right-of-way to pedestrians, it is also the responsibility of pedestrians to use the street responsibly and yield right-of-way to oncoming vehicles.
Liability Issues
However, if I were a member of Gourdine-Woodard's family, I would look into whether there was a dangerous condition on this Ventura roadway. For example, was there an obstruction at the intersection, which prevented the driver from seeing Gourdine-Woodard? If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to this accident, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable.
According to California Governmental Code 911.2, any claim against a governmental entity must be filed within six months of an accident or injury. It would be in the best interests, in such cases, for victims or their families to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who has an excellent track record of successfully representing injured victims against governmental agencies.
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.
