California Injury Blog
An 82-year-old man was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Santa Monica, the morning of December 15, 2009. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the elderly pedestrian was crossing at 18th Street and California Avenue when he was hit. Santa Monica police officials say the vehicle was heading west on California Avenue. The pedestrian was walking east in an unmarked crosswalk. The driver then made a left turn and struck the pedestrian. The critically injured pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where he died two days later. An investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this victim. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
There were five fatalities and 105 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Santa Monica in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol’s traffic accident statistics. In Los Angeles County, 210 people died and 5,095 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 712 lives and injured 56,475 people in 2007.
Crosswalk Laws
Based on this news report, the pedestrian was crossing in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. California law requires drivers to yield right-of-way to pedestrians 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.”
We all know what marked crosswalks are. What are unmarked crosswalks? A crosswalk does not only exist when lines are marked on the street. An unmarked crosswalk exists at street intersections as the extension of the sidewalk areas across the street whenever the streets intersect at approximately right angles. However, signs may be placed prohibiting crossings.
Car Accident Liability Issues
The family of this elderly pedestrian accident victim would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze this incident from all angles and make sure that their rights and best interests are protected. A skilled attorney will not only look into whether the driver in this case was negligent or operating his vehicle recklessly but also, whether there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that may have caused or contributed to this fatal pedestrian accident. 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.