A woman was seriously injured in a Santa Ana car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred near the intersection of 17th and Fairview streets, the night of June 28, 2011. The woman was transported to a trauma center with severe injuries. It is not clear if the woman was walking in a crosswalk. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to this injured victim and her family for what they are going through at this time. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three fatalities and 123 injuries occurred involving Santa Ana pedestrian accidents. In Orange County as a whole, 31 people died and 785 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.
The Law Relating to Pedestrians
Based on this news report, officials say alcohol or drugs were not factors in the crash. However, it is not clear if the pedestrian was walking in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. California law requires all motorists to yield right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking 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 driver in this case is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held financially responsible for the serious injuries caused. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages.
Car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. A skilled accident lawyer will be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a public entity must be properly filed within 180 days of the incident.
Seriously injured in an Orange County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Santa Ana pedestrian accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Orange County personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.