California Injury Blog
Richard Salazar-Borrego, 55, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after he was hit by a vehicle. According to a news report in The San Bernardino County Sun, Salazar-Borrego was walking in the southbound lanes of Western Avenue the night of October 8, 2010 when he was struck by a 2004 Jeep. Police are investigating this fatal car versus pedestrian accident.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Richard Salazar-Borrego. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this tragic car accident.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three people were killed and 80 were injured in San Bernardino pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 39 fatalities and 432 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the entire San Bernardino County.
What Caused This Fatal Car Accident?
Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this car accident occurred. There are more questions here than answers at this point. Was the pedestrian walking in traffic or was he trying to cross the road? Was the pedestrian walking in a crosswalk? Was the driver of the Jeep impaired, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent at the time of the car accident? I trust officials are looking at these and other issues in order to determine who was at fault and how this fatal pedestrian accident occurred.
Motorists are required under the law to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in 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.”
Liability Issues
If the driver of the Jeep is determined to have been at fault, then he or she could be held liable for Salazar-Borrego’s wrongful death. A skilled San Bernardino personal injury lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway condition may have caused or contributed to this accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
Lost a family member in a San Bernardino County car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal San Bernardino car accident. Call 866-310-5252. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys San Bernardino wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.
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.