Cliffcrest Drive Collision With a Motor Vehicle Kills Pedestrian
A pedestrian collision with a motor vehicle in Elk Grove occurred on August 18 and cost the person’s life on foot. The crash occurred at the Calvine Road intersection with Cliffcrest Drive, where the Monterey Trail High School is located, at about 3:30 a.m. It was reportedly the opinion of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that the pedestrian was in the middle of the street and wasn’t noticed by the motorist until it was too late to stop. The individual who was struck and killed is believed to have been homeless. The vehicle driver remained at the accident scene and cooperated with CHP traffic accident investigators.
What Can Cause a Pedestrian Collision With a Motor Vehicle
Pedestrian accidents with motor vehicles are an unfortunate, frequent occurrence. In some cases, the pedestrian is jaywalking, distracted or has other problems that can lead to an accident. In other cases, the motorist is at fault, such as in the following:
- The driver runs a red light or stop sign, causing an accident with a pedestrian.
- The motorist is speeding, which does not allow him or her sufficient time to stop and avoid striking a pedestrian.
- The motorist makes a left or right turn without checking for someone on foot in the crosswalk.
- A driver backs out of a parking space without looking for people walking behind the car.
- Fatigued driving, especially late at night, can lead to a pedestrian collision when the motorist nods off behind the wheel or simply can’t concentrate on the task at hand.
- The motorist is inebriated by alcohol or drugs and loses control of their vehicle.
- The roadway is obscured by overgrown trees and shrubs, which a government entity is responsible for maintaining. The government entity can be liable if overgrowth leads to a collision involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. The claim must be filed within six months, and engaging the assistance of an accident attorney can ensure all paperwork is submitted on time.
- An auto defect can make the driver lose control or be unable to stop in time to avoid a pedestrian collision. The manufacturer and others can be responsible for wrongful death in these cases by filing an auto product liability claim.
Seeking Help From a Wrongful Death Lawyer
A lawyer who handles wrongful death cases can determine who was negligent in the pedestrian collision, gather evidence to support the claim and negotiate for you with the at-fault party’s insurance company to obtain the best possible outcome. If the insurance company refuses to cover your losses, the attorney can use the gathered evidence to take the case to civil court.
Attorney Ed Smith explains in the video that follows how to find a qualified lawyer to handle your wrongful death case:
Elk Grove Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove wrongful death lawyer. In the event that your loved one died in an accident they weren’t responsible for, the family can receive free legal advice from an experienced injury lawyer at our firm. Contact us at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400 if you need free and friendly legal advice regarding a wrongful death case. You can also reach us online in addition to in person.
Our organization memberships include the Top 1 Percent and the Million Dollar Advocates.
Additionally, our accident attorneys have helped others obtain compensation for their injuries through the following examples:
Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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