A 34-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after she was hit by a driver on a Costa Mesa street, the Daily Pilot reports. Laura Monteleone was said to be in critical, but stable condition. She had reportedly suffered significant skull fractures to the base and right side of her skull, brain injury and had several broken ribs.
Police found the woman bleeding from her ears and mouth when they arrived on scene, the newspaper said. She was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. Investigators also determined that the driver, 34-year-old Sergio Rico Delgado, was not driving under the influence, but said he was at fault for the accident. He was also cited for driving with an expired license, the Pilot reported.
Pedestrian versus motor vehicle crashes are a serious problem in the United States. In 2003, 4,749 pedestrians were killed in accidents and accounted for 11 percent of the 42,643 auto accident deaths nationwide that year. The total number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in traffic collisions added up to 70,000 that year.
Retaining an experienced personal injury attorney might be extremely beneficial for the victim and her family. They need someone on their side to help analyze their options to figure out a way to pay her medical expenses given the serious nature of her injuries. If a pedestrian is hit by an uninsured driver, he or she may be able to make an uninsured motorist claim. This claim can be made if the injured pedestrian has auto insurance that provides coverage in such a situation.
The detail that most people are not aware of is that the insurance coverage need not specifically reference to a pedestrian accident. An attorney can help victims review the policy to see whether coverage applies. Similarly, if the vehicle owner who strikes a pedestrian carries only limited insurance, an underinsured motorist claim may be filed under the injured person’s auto insurance policy.
As personal injury attorneys who have represented numerous pedestrian accident victims, we at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys knows the hoops people have to jump through to make sure their insurance comes through and they’re able to pay for the medical treatment they desperately need. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, call our office to discuss your case. We may be able to help.