California Injury Blog
A 44-year-old woman was injured in a car crash in West Covina after she was struck by a vehicle that was making a right turn. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the major injury collision occurred at the intersection of Azusa Avenue and Rowland Avenue the afternoon of July 26, 2012. Police say the woman was walking on Azusa Avenue when a Ford Expedition that made a right turn from Rowland to Azusa struck her and dragged her for about 20 feet. The driver, a 64-year-old Covina man was not even aware that he had hit the pedestrian. A passerby yelled for the driver to stop and he did. The pedestrian suffered serious leg injuries and was transported to an area hospital. The driver was not arrested pending an official investigation.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this pedestrian accident. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Pedestrian Crash Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 42 injuries involving pedestrian crashes in West Covina in 2009. Also, during the same year, 179 people died and 4,918 were injured due to Los Angeles County pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrian Laws
Based on this news report, the woman was walking at the intersection. However, it is not clear if she was in a crosswalk at the time or who had the right of way. California Vehicle Code Section 21954 states: “Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.” The same section also states: “The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway.”
Fault and Liability
If the driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he can be held liable for the pedestrian’s injuries. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims would also be well advised to contact experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. If a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the accident, then, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a governmental entity must be filed within six months of the incident.