California Injury Blog
A pedestrian accident in Petaluma resulted in serious injuries for a 16-year-old boy the night of June 24, 2010. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that the injury collision occurred in a crosswalk at the intersection of Healdsburg and Cleveland avenues.
The pedestrian was walking in the crosswalk when a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Michael Petzel hit him. The young pedestrian was transported to an area medical center for treatment of a bloody nose, road rash and shoulder pain. Police suspect the teen driver was at fault for the collision because he apparently failed to yield right-of-way to the pedestrian in the crosswalk.
I hope the pedestrian did not sustain any major injuries in this crash. I pray that he recovers quickly and completely from the injuries he has sustained.
Car Accidents
There were four fatalities and 245 injuries involving car accidents in Petaluma in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol’s traffic accident statistics. In Sonoma County, 36 people died and 1,988 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Pedestrian Laws and Liability Issues
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.”
An experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, will be able to advise victims or their families about their legal rights and options. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition may have caused or contributed to this collision. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that 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 accident or injury.
What are some of the most dangerous roadways 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.