Sumiko Maria Thomas, 81, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident on January 6, 2010 after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a news report in the Victorville Daily Press, Thomas was crossing Country Club Drive near Makai Court in Victorville, when a 2005 silver Cadillac CTS struck her. California Highway Patrol officials said Thomas was taken to an area hospital where she died. An investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sumiko Maria Thomas for their tragic loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this woman. Please keep them in your prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 22 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Victorville. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 50 deaths and 432 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.
Causes and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this fatal pedestrian accident occurred. There are still several unanswered questions here. Was Thomas walking in a crosswalk? Did the driver fail to yield right-of-way to the pedestrian? Was the driver impaired, distracted, speeding or negligent at the time? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this car accident? I trust the answers to these and other questions will help us understand what exactly happened here.
If it is determined that the driver failed to yield right-of-way to the pedestrian, then he or she could be held liable for Thomas’ wrongful death. If this accident was caused by a dangerous condition on the roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable as well. Please remember that any claim against a governmental entity in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
In such cases, an experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims’ families and help protect their legal rights and best interests. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to inform victims’ families how their car insurance policy applies to a pedestrian accident or in an incident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.
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.