A 35-year-old Whittier man was seriously injured in a car versus pedestrian accident February 22, 2009, the Whittier Daily News reports in this article. The incident happened when a compact car driving eastbound on Leffingwell Road collided with the pedestrian as he crossed the road near Kibbee Avenue, officials say. Apparently the man, who has not been identified yet, lost consciousness after being hit by the vehicle. He had suffered a 12- to 16-inch wound ton his arm that was open to the bone. But Los Angeles County Fire Department officials say that he had stable vital signs when he was flown by helicopter to an area trauma unit.
I’m relieved that this man did not suffer catastrophic injuries in this crash. Auto versus Pedestrian accidents can have fatal consequences for pedestrians because the victim gets thrown by the impact and could possibly end up with multiple fractures, leg injuries and blunt force trauma. I wish this injured victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/pdf/2006-sec8.pdf), there were no Los Angeles pedestrian accident related fatalities reported in Whittier in 2006. There were, however, 20 injuries reported that year involving pedestrian accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 deaths and 4,904 injuries were attributed to pedestrian accidents in 2006.
Based on this news report, there is very little information as to how and why this Whittier pedestrian accident occurred. Was the pedestrian crossing at an intersection or in a crosswalk? Did the car that hit him have green light? Did the driver have sufficient time or warning to stop the vehicle before striking the pedestrian? All these are questions that must be answered to determine if there was any negligence involved in this case.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, it is extremely important that you consult with the best California pedestrian accident lawyer who will make sure that your legal rights are protected and negligent parties held accountable for their actions. A skilled California personal injury attorney will also look at other factors that may have caused the accident such as a dangerous roadway or intersection. If that is a factor, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable. In California, any claim against a governmental agency must be filed within six months of the accident.