South Sacramento Accident Involves Teenage Bicyclist on Crosswalk
I’m Ed Smith, a South Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer. A teenage bicyclist, 15, hit by a hit and run driver in South Sacramento in the vicinity of Stockton Boulevard, was taken to a hospital after the incident.
I would like to extend my best wishes to the young man for a speedy recovery.
Details of the Accident
According to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson for the South Sacramento office, the accident occurred on October 21 at shortly after 3:30 p.m. in the Chandler Drive Crosswalk. The hit and run vehicle was described as a white Toyota that left the scene via eastbound 66th Avenue. At the time of this report, the driver has not been identified nor has the name of the victim been released.
Incidence of Accidents
According to the Office of Traffic Safety in California, bicyclists and pedestrians are not safe in Sacramento as a whole. The total number of individuals killed in all accidents in 2014 was 3,670 while the number of pedestrians who suffered an injury or died was 193, giving the city the rank of six out of 14 similar cities in the state. Of the total, residents over 65 were either injured or killed at a ratio of 3/14. Bicyclists fared badly also, with an overall rank of 5 out of 14, and bicyclists under 15 years of age scored even worse at one out of 14 other cities. The number of hit and run accidents was 213, placing the city at five out of 14.
Dangerous Intersections
In 2014, over 400,000 intersection accidents in California were studied, and Sacramento was second just after Los Angeles. Stockton Boulevard at Fruitridge Road and at Elder Creek Road made the list of some of the worst intersections in the city. Sacramento instituted a Pedestrian Program to map out a master plan for safety as well as a program for bicycle safety in the city, with a master plan approved by the City Council in 2016, complete with a bicycle user map and safe parking for bikes.
Causes of Crosswalk Accidents
In some cases, drivers fail to notice those in or entering the crosswalk. Others fail to give pedestrians and bicyclists the right of way. Drivers need to be cognizant of stop signs and red lights. Since approximately 11 percent of all modes of transportation occurs on foot and higher in areas like California, it is necessary for drivers to learn why accidents happen. The most common reasons for crosswalk accidents are:
- Turning left at a crosswalk: In all, about three times the number of accidents happen when a driver is turning left.
- Electronic devices: Both drivers and pedestrians or bicyclists are responsible for not texting when navigating the roadway. One study found that when using a cell phone, eight percent more crosswalk accidents happen.
- Battery operated vehicles: The use of automobiles that are quiet makes it harder for both pedestrians and bicyclists to know that a vehicle is approaching.
- Drinking: About 37 percent of pedestrians that are killed have a high alcohol level while 13 percent of drivers are intoxicated.
Injuries with Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Both bicyclists and pedestrians share one major attribute and that is their total lack of bodily protection. A motor vehicle, traveling at any speed, can cause serious injuries such as broken bones. A vehicle that is traveling above 25 mph can also cause catastrophic injury such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage.
Related Articles by Ed Smith ~
South Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a South Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer. Bicycle accidents can cause serious injury when a motor vehicle is involved, including the death of a family member. If you’ve been injured or if someone you love died due to negligence, turn to me for free and friendly advice. Phone me at (916) 921-6400, or if you are outside Sacramento, feel free to use my nationwide line at (800) 404-5400.
Sacramento residents and others in Northern California have placed their trust in my personal injury law firm to fight for them in traumatic injuries and wrongful death cases when they are unable to fight for themselves.
Previous clients have left their comments about me and my law practice on Google, Yelp and Avvo, a legal site that posts comments by my peers.
You can see how I resolved some of my cases on the Verdicts and Settlements page on my website AutoAccident.com, that I established and currently own.
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is a grouping of top trial lawyers who have verdicts or settlements of $1 million or more in client cases. I belong to this group as a California member.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/crosswalk-pedestrian-crossing-407023/
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