A man was seriously injured in a Los Angeles pedestrian accident after he was struck by a semi-truck the morning of October 7, 2010. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the truck accident occurred at the intersection of South Covina Boulevard and Valley Boulevard in La Puente. Officials say the man entered the intersection while the truck was crossing South Covina Boulevard from Valley and was struck by the right rear tire of the semi. The pedestrian sustained a broken pelvis and underwent surgery. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to this injured pedestrian. I wish him the very best for a swift and full recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two fatalities and six injuries were reported involving pedestrian accidents in La Puente. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 people died and 4,985 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.
Pedestrian Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that this pedestrian versus truck accident occurred when the man was crossing the street. The question here is: Who had right-of-way at the intersection? California law requires motorists to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks.
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.”
Fault and Liability
If the truck driver is determined to have been at fault, the driver as well as his or her employer could be held liable for the pedestrian’s injuries. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims and their families would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable.
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Call your best friends in the legal industry after a La Puente car accident. Call 866-310-5252. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
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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.