California Injury Blog
A 45-year-old woman was killed in a Long Beach car accident after she was struck while crossing eastbound Seventh Street. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the woman was hit by a red Honda Civic right outside the campus of California State Long Beach, near East Campus Drive. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred the night of February 4, 2010. Police believe the woman was a student at the university and have also said she may have been crossing the street illegally when she was hit.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this deceased victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 234 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Long Beach. Countywide, 214 fatalities and 4,985 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2008.
Pedestrian Laws
Under California law, motorists are required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking in crosswalks or at intersections. 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.”
Liability Issues
That said, pedestrians have a responsibility to cross the street legally and walk only in areas that are designated for pedestrians. If this accident was caused by a dangerous condition on the roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining this roadway could be held liable. Any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within six months of the accident or injury.
If the driver is found to have been at fault, in such pedestrian accident cases, he or she could be held financially responsible for the accident. Typically, wrongful death claims seek compensation to cover funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer will advise victims and their families in such cases, about their legal rights and options.
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.