A San Diego pedestrian accident left one woman seriously injured at a city intersection the morning of April 28, 2010. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the injury collision happened at the corner of Second Avenue and Elm Street when the woman was attempting to cross the street. The pedestrian was struck by a Ford Explorer SUV at the intersection. She was taken to a local hospital with hip injuries. Officials are looking into the cause of this accident.
I sympathize with the injured woman and her family. I hope she did not sustain catastrophic injuries and pray that she recovers quickly and completely.
Car Accident Statistics in San Diego
There were 81 fatalities and 6,123 injuries involving car accidents in San Diego, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In San Diego County as a whole, car accidents claimed 246 lives and injured 13,527 people in 2008.
Pedestrian Laws
If the details of this news report are accurate, it seems to me that the pedestrian was walking in a crosswalk or at the intersection. California Vehicle Code section 21950 states that the driver of the vehicle must yield right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a street within a marked or 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.”
Claim for Compensation
In such cases, an injured victim or his or her family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will make sure that their rights are protected. If a dangerous or defective roadway condition caused the accident, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within six months of the accident or injury, under California Government Code 911.2.
What are the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in your city or neighborhood?
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.