A 58-year-old man who was killed in a San Diego car accident has been identified as Thomas Klopfstein. The man was fatally injured after a Toyota Tundra pickup truck driven by a Chula Vista city councilman, struck him as he was walking across the street the morning of December 3, 2009. A 10news report states that Klopfstein was walking across Campo Road near Community Building Road when he was hit. The 49-year-old city official, Rudy Ramirez, said he did not see Klopfstein crossing the road ahead of his truck. Officials have not cited Ramirez in connection with this fatal pedestrian accident.
My sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Thomas Klopfstein. They have suffered a huge loss and will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.
San Diego Pedestrian Accidents
In the city of San Diego, 25 people died and 575 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007, according to CHP's traffic accident statistics. Countywide, pedestrian accidents.claimed 51 lives and caused 1,068 injuries during the same year. Also, in San Diego County as a whole, 268 people died and 14,641 were injured in car accidents in 2007.
Was the Pedestrian in a Crosswalk?
We do not know whether Thomas Klopfstein was walking in a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection at the time of his fatal accident. 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."
The victim's family in this case would be well-advised to consult an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer who will make sure that a fair and objective investigation is conducted in this case. If Ramirez is found to be at fault for this collision and was on city business at the time, the city could also be held liable for Klopfstein's wrongful death. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within six months of the accident or injury.
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.
