Pedestrian Accident Involving Big Rig Leaves Man Critically Injured
A truck accident in Downey left a man in critical condition the night of May 29, 2010, ABC News reports. The collision happened in the 9500 block of Firestone Boulevard near Gray Road, when a McDonald's big rig struck the pedestrian. The driver of the truck has not been arrested pending an investigation. Officials are not sure whether the pedestrian was walking in a crosswalk when the collision occurred.
My heart goes out to this injured victim. I hope that he has a speedy and full recovery. He and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Accident Statistics
In Downey, there were six fatalities and 633 injuries involving car accidents in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.
Pedestrian Laws
It is not clear what happened here. We do not know if the pedestrian was in a marked or unmarked crosswalk or at an intersection at the time. If that was the case, the law requires that motorists yield right-of-way to pedestrians.
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."
Claim for Compensation
If the truck driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he and his employer could be held liable for the pedestrian's serious injuries. In such cases, critically injured victims and their families would be well-served to seek the counsel of a skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options.
What are some of the most dangerous roadways for pedestrians in your city or neighborhood?
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.
