California Injury Blog
A 41-year-old man was seriously injured in a Santa Ana car accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing an intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred the morning of September 16, 2011 at the intersection of West McFadden Street and South Bristol Avenue. Police say the man was walking across McFadden at Bristol when he was hit by a Ford van. He suffered serious head injuries and was transported to an area hospital. The 45-year-old driver remained at the scene. Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact police at 714-245-8701.
My heart goes out to this injured victim who has been seriously injured. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this victim in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were seven fatalities and 145 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Santa Ana. In Orange County as a whole, 41 people died and 864 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents, during the same year.
Laws Relating to Pedestrians
Based on this news report, it is not quite clear how or why this pedestrian accident occurred. It appears that the pedestrian was crossing at the intersection. Motorists are required under California law 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.”
Liability Issues
I trust officials are looking into who had the right-of-way at the time. If the driver is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for the victim’s injuries. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related damages. Car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Santa Ana personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.