Woman Critically Injured in San Francisco Pedestrian Accident
A 77-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries in a San Francisco pedestrian accident after she was hit by a city bus while crossing the street. According to a news report in the San Francisco Examiner, the major injury collision occurred on the afternoon of February 9, 2010 at the intersection of San Bruno Avenue and Burrows Street. The woman was struck by a 9-San Bruno bus. Police say the woman seemed to have been walking in a marked crosswalk when she was struck.
I sympathize with the injured woman and her family. I hope and pray that she recovers quickly and completely from her injuries. Please keep this critically injured victim in your prayers.
Crosswalk Laws
Based on this news report, the woman was walking in a marked crosswalk at the time of the pedestrian versus bus accident. The question then is why did the bus driver not yield right of-way to the pedestrian. 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.”
Contacting an Experienced Injury Lawyer
The bus driver has been placed on "non-driving status" and will undergo testing from drugs and alcohol use, which is standard procedure in such accidents. Apparently, the intersection where this happened has no stop lights or stop signs, but has crosswalks to help pedestrians get across.
The victim or her family would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will make sure that their rights and best interests are protected. If the bus driver caused the accident or if the accident occurred as a result of a dangerous or defective roadway, the city could be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental agency 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.
