A 16-year-old girl has sustained critical injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after she was hit by a work truck while crossing the street. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the accident occurred on Gladstone Street near Enid Avenue the morning of December 8, 2009, when the girl was on her way to school. Azusa police officials say it was still dark out and the girl was not walking in a crosswalk. The 44-year-old man, who was driving the truck, was going within the speed limit and has not been charged or cited, officials said. They also said the driver was distraught over the incident.
My heart goes out to the family of this teenager, who has apparently suffered catastrophic injuries and is fighting for her life due to this pedestrian accident. Officials say it is uncertain if she will survive. I hope and pray that this injured victim makes it through her critical injuries and has a complete recovery. Please keep this young victim and her family in your prayers.
Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Statistics
There were 19 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Azusa in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County, 210 fatalities and 5,095 injuries were reported in 2007, as a result of pedestrian accidents. Also, countywide, during that year, car accidents claimed 712 lives and injured 56,475 people.
Officials are saying that this girl was not in a crosswalk and have not charged the motorist or cited him, yet. The investigation is ongoing. However, if I were a member of this girl’s family, I would want to know whether there was a dangerous condition on that Azusa roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this tragic pedestrian accident. It is also important to determine if there was any negligence involved on the part of the motorist. A family friend of the victim comments to the news article stating the driver may not have had his headlights turned on at the time of the collision. If that were accurate, the pedestrian would not have been able to see the oncoming truck.
Dangerous and Defective Roadways
Was there enough lighting on the street at the time? Were the lights working? Was there a crosswalk in the area where the girl could have crossed? Have there been other accidents at that location in the past? What are neighbors saying about the safety of the roadway, especially for pedestrians?
An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has handled numerous dangerous roadway accidents, as well as incidents involving negligent drivers, can help analyze this case and determine the facts. If there was a dangerous condition, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable as well. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of an accident or injury.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is 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 us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.