A boy sustained life-threatening injuries in a Long Beach car accident after he was struck by a vehicle. According to a news report in The Press-Telegram, the major injury pedestrian accident occurred on Carson Street near the Los Coyotes Diagonal the night of May 8, 2011. The boy, who was hit by a westbound Hyundai, was transported to a local hospital where he is said to be in critical condition. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the young victim of this pedestrian accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 234 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as a whole, pedestrian accidents claimed 214 lives and injured 4,985 people during the same year.
Laws Relating to Pedestrians
Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this major injury pedestrian accident occurred. 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 requires 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.”
Also, according to this vehicle code: “This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.”
Fault and Liability
I trust officials are also looking into whether the driver of the Hyundai was under the influence, distracted, speeding, inattentive or otherwise negligent at the time. If the driver is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for the boy’s injuries. In such cases, injured victims or their families can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of warnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages.
A skilled Long Beach personal injury lawyer will be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also 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.
Seriously injured in a Long Beach car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Long Beach pedestrian accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Long Beach personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.