Driver Flees Scene After Pedestrian Accident in Sacramento
I am Ed Smith, a pedestrian injury attorney in Sacramento. An accident where a driver left the scene without stopping resulted in injuries to two pedestrians in Sacramento on Saturday, September 23. The names of the victims were not released at the time this report was filed.
Details of the Hit and Run Accident
The pedestrians, who were in the Freeport Boulevard and Vallejo Way crosswalk at the time the accident occurred, were transported to a medical facility. Police were able to obtain information about the fleeing vehicle and are currently in the process of investigating the accident.
Pedestrian Injuries
According to a spokesperson of the police department in Sacramento, injuries suffered by the two pedestrians were not life threatening. Reports indicate that the driver of the hit and run vehicle escaped in another vehicle.
The vehicle, as yet not described to the public, hit a utility pole, causing it to break, strewing electric wires on the pavement. Municipal district teams for utilities were on hand to clear the live wires.
Pedestrian Incidents in California
According to state agencies, the number of pedestrian incidents in 2015, the latest year that full statistics are available, 813 pedestrians died statewide in motor vehicle accidents, and these represent 25 percent of deaths on the roads in California. This number exceeds the national average by 70 percent. In the same year, about 12,000 were injured.
Pedestrian Accidents in Sacramento County and Sacramento
In Sacramento County, about 440 pedestrians died or were injured, making it 36 out of 58 counties in the state. 60 of the pedestrians were under the age of 15, while 48 were over 65. In Sacramento itself, 193 pedestrians were killed or injured, ranking the city 6 out of 14 counties. Of these, 22 were under 15 and 25 were over 65. Hit and run accidents comprise approximately 20 percent of pedestrian accidents nationwide with males and younger drivers committing this offense more than seasoned or female drivers.
Pedestrian Crosswalk Rules
Under California Vehicle Code, a driver must yield to a pedestrian who is in a crosswalk, whether or not the crosswalk is marked. However, a pedestrian is forbidden to enter any crosswalk if traffic conditions may be considered hazardous if they do so. If a pedestrian does not use a crosswalk but intends to cross the road, he or she must yield to traffic. In non-residential or rural areas, pedestrians are not allowed to walk in the roadway unless a sidewalk is absent. In those cases, a pedestrian must walk on the left side.
Safety Precautions Pedestrians Can Take
When you are out walking or driving, you need to:
- make sure others can see you.
- wear bright clothes and use a flashlight after dark or at dusk.
- don’t drink and stay on the sidewalk if possible.
- don’t become distracted, particularly by using a cell phone to talk or text.
- be aware of your surroundings, and watch where you step, looking for potholes or debris that could make you fall.
Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians have no protective cover and injuries can be serious or deadly. Common ones are:
Liability in a Pedestrian Accident
Liability depends on the negligence of both the driver and the pedestrian. Generally, a driver who hurts or kills a pedestrian is considered to be responsible for damages, particularly when it occurs in a crosswalk. There are a few instances where a driver is obeying the rules of the road, but a pedestrian causes the accident, making it virtually almost impossible for the driver to avoid it. In some cases, the liability may be divided between the driver and the pedestrian.
Sacramento Pedestrian Injury Attorney
I am Ed Smith, a pedestrian injury attorney in Sacramento. Pedestrian accidents can cause significant traumatic injury or wrongful death. If you’ve suffered such injuries or if someone in your family died due to a negligent or hit and run driver, reach out at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can count on me to give friendly advice that will not cost you a thing.
The emotional and financial stress of an accident can make finding an attorney a difficult task. Before you do, it is important to get to know their practice and what other clients thought of them by checking them out on the internet. You can easily check out my reviews by going to Yelp, Avvo or Google.
For over 35 years, I have assisted Sacramento and Northern Californians in their times of need and helped them receive what they needed and deserved by recovering damages that were just in my capacity as an injury lawyer. In this regard, I have won cases of one million dollars or greater for clients as evidenced in my membership at www.milliondollaradvocates.com.
Since you are reading this, you are on the website https://www.autoaccident.com that I founded. Enjoy browsing and look at more topics on personal injury law.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/buildings-city-crossing-1838418/
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