Elderly Pedestrians Injured in Accident in Merced
Two elderly pedestrians were injured following a hit-and-run accident in the Merced area on the afternoon of Thursday, October 7, 2021. The motor vehicle collision occurred along the 3200 block of Parsons Avenue near Chenoweth Elementary School around 12:30 p.m.
Details on the Accident That Left Two Elderly Pedestrians Injured in Merced
A preliminary report by the Merced County Sheriff’s Deputies revealed that two elderly people were walking in the area when they were struck by a blue Honda Civic sedan that allegedly traveled onto the sidewalk. The Honda driver reportedly fled the scene following the pedestrian accident. Fortunately, the Honda driver, a 24-year-old man, was detained a short time after the incident at Yosemite Avenue and Arboleda Drive. Officials have reported that he is facing charges in connection to the car vs. pedestrian accident.
The injured parties, a woman and man suspected to be in their 80s, were transported to area hospitals for treatment of moderate to serious injuries. The man was later transported via air ambulance to a Modesto area trauma center. Authorities reported that the injured individuals were listed in stable condition that same evening. Anyone who witnessed the pedestrian accident or has details regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Merced Police Department (Merced PD).
Things to Know About Pedestrian Accidents and Personal Injury Claims
A pedestrian generally has the right-of-way when walking in a marked crosswalk. The unfortunate reality is that a motorist may fail to yield the right-of-way to that person walking through speeding, texting, and driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), or another form of negligence while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. When pedestrians are hit by cars, they have no form of physical protection and thus, absorbing the impact. Some of the most common types of injuries that pedestrians suffer may include bone fractures, internal trauma, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Merced may hold a negligent driver accountable when their actions result in harm to others. The process generally involves filing a claim against the insurance company representing the other party. In situations where the negligent driver does not have enough bodily injury liability coverage or none at all for a pedestrian accident within which they caused, the injured party may seek recourse through their insurance policy if they carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). What is useful about UM coverage is that it may come into play in hit-and-run cases where the other party cannot be located.
Accident attorneys may help in securing the financial recovery necessary to get your life back on track after suffering traumatic injuries in a car vs. pedestrian accident. This may include reimbursement for lost income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses in connection to the incident. Another reason why it is crucial to retain legal counsel is that it is not uncommon for claims adjusters to compare the fault of those involved in the incident when negotiating an insurance settlement. This may mean unfairly shifting fault onto an injured party as a way of protecting the insurer’s bottom line. An attorney will not allow for any of that and will work to collect and present evidence from the crash, such as a CHP traffic accident report and statements from expert witnesses, to demonstrate the negligent driver’s actions in the incident. For information on how to find the best attorney in your area to handle all aspects of your personal injury case, watch this video.
How an Accident Attorney May Help You
There are challenging traffic and insurance laws governing personal injury claims for pedestrian accidents in California. Therefore, it is essential for injured parties to retain legal counsel that is knowledgeable of these laws and has ample experience in navigating them. There are also strict filing deadlines that must be met when taking legal action, and failure to comply with these may result in the dismissal of the claim.
At our law firm, we care about protecting the rights and best interests of those we represent. Our accident attorneys have seen firsthand the effects that serious injuries and resulting losses may have on an injured party’s life and on their loved ones. If you or a family member has suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, do not wait to seek assistance from an experienced injury lawyer. Contact us today, and a member of our team is on standby to review the facts and circumstances of your case and advise you of your options moving forward.
Personal Injury Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury attorney. When a pedestrian is injured in a traffic collision caused by another party or entity, they may seek financial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses related to the incident. The process is not always straightforward and often requires the assistance of an experienced injury attorney to obtain the results an injured party deserves. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, contact our law firm today and receive free, friendly case advice from a member of our office at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
Visit these links to view ratings and reviews by our past clients:
We are proudly featured as California members of these legal groups:
For over three decades, our legal team has helped injured parties of pedestrian accidents obtain the justice and financial compensation they rightfully deserve. To see some of the results we have secured on behalf of those we have previously represented, please visit our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photograph Source: Pixabay User “ElasticComputeFarm”
:ds llo [cs 981]