California Injury Blog
At least five people were injured in a car accident early morning on July 13 after being struck by a vehicle in Bellflower. According to KTLA news report, the crash occurred near the intersection of Woodruff Avenue and Foster Road at about 2 a.m. Five people were sent to the hospital of which three are said to be in critical condition. Two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
A witness said the driver had been “speeding and showing off” in front of a nearby nightclub just before the crash. The driver was “revving up the engine and burning rubber” in front of the club, the witness said. The car then made a sharp turn around the corner when the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle and struck a group of pedestrians. Police are investigating the crash. No arrests or citations have been reported.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been injured in this horrific crash. We wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
The Danger of Speed
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving at an unsafe speed or violating speed limits endangers everyone on the roadway and is one of the main causes of car accidents nationwide. In 2016 alone, speeding killed 10,111 people around the country, accounting for about 27 percent of all traffic fatalities that year. The California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System shows that there were three fatalities and 42 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the city of Bellflower in 2014.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver was operating the vehicle at an unsafe rate of speed. It is illegal under California law to violate the posted speed limits or drive at a speed that could potentially endanger others on the roadway. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”
In such cases, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Victims would be well advised to file a police report, gather as much evidence as possible from the scene including photos, videos, driver information and contact information for eyewitnesses. If you have been injured, it is also important to get prompt medical attention and contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will fight to protect your legal rights.
Source: https://ktla.com/2018/07/13/5-pedestrians-hospitalized-after-being-struck-by-car-in-bellflower-driver-in-custody/