A pedestrian accident in San Clemente resulted in severe injuries for a 61-year-old man the night of August 1, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man was walking near 700 Avenida Pico when he was struck by a vehicle being operated by a 16-year-old driver. The pedestrian sustained a broken leg and head injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No citations were issued or arrests made pending an official investigation.
I hope this pedestrian did not sustain any catastrophic injuries in this crash. I wish him the very best for a swift and full recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.
Car Accidents
There were 11 fatalities and 166 injuries involving car accidents in San Clemente in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics. In Orange County as a whole, car accidents claimed 152 lives and injured 13,414 people during the same year.
Causes and Liability Issues
This news report does not clearly state where exactly the pedestrian was walking at the time of the collision. If he was walking in a marked crosswalk, then the teen driver should have stopped and yielded right-of-way. California law requires drivers to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks (California Vehicle Code section 21950). If the driver is determined to have been at fault, then he or she could be held liable for the victim's serious injuries.
An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, in such cases, will stay abreast of the investigation and make sure that victims' legal rights and best interests are protected. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition may have caused or contributed to this accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
Are there any areas in your city or neighborhood that are unsafe for pedestrians?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
