Accident on Watt Avenue On-Ramp Injures Pedestrian
A pedestrian injury accident occurred in Sacramento on April 24 when a woman was struck by a driver in a Toyota RAV4. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the collision occurred on the southbound on-ramp at Watt Avenue that connects with Highway 50 westbound at around 12:45 in the morning. The female pedestrian was seriously injured in the collision. Emergency responders transported the woman to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation. The on-ramp leading to Highway 50 westbound was shut down as authorities investigated how the collision occurred.
Driver Negligence Leads to an Injury Accident
Driver negligence is a common problem that often leads to an injury accident, especially during late-night hours. Because traffic is much lighter, drivers may be more tempted to speed or drive recklessly, thinking that there isn’t much chance of getting caught. Unfortunately, pedestrians are out at all hours also, which can lead to a traffic collision when a motorist isn’t keeping an eye out for walkers or obeying traffic laws. If a negligent driver causes injuries to a pedestrian, the injured person may place a claim for compensation, which will cover their medical expenses, time away from work, and reimburse them for their pain and suffering.
Investigation of an Accident
My law firm is experienced in handling cases involving pedestrians and does everything possible to ensure that the client has a strong case for compensation for their injuries.
- Our investigators head to the accident site to talk to the witnesses and review the police report for mistakes.
- They search for video footage of the crash from traffic surveillance and business cameras.
- The investigators perform accident reconstruction to determine how it occurred, which also shows who was at fault and whether the driver was speeding, driving distracted, or inebriated at the time.
- They will check for previous traffic infractions by the driver, which can show a history of ignoring the law.
- Poor road maintenance can come into play when a pedestrian is injured. This includes malfunctioning lights, bad roadway design, and blurred lane lines.
After the evidence is gathered, our lawyers use it to build a strong claim for the client, which is useful when dealing with an insurance company or when the case must be taken to court.
Causes of a Pedestrian Accident
It must be shown that the at-fault party was negligent and caused a pedestrian’s injuries in order to place a claim for compensation. This can be accomplished by searching for the following evidence:
- Many pedestrian accidents occur at intersections. Traffic surveillance cameras are a strong source of evidence to show how the injury accident occurred and who was at fault. Some are caused by a driver making an unsafe turn, while others are caused by running a red light or pulling too close into the crosswalk.
- A disabled vehicle can result in a person exiting a car or truck to walk for help. Disabled vehicles can be caused by a defective part, such as the accelerator, brakes, tires, or engine.
- The driver is intoxicated or driving distracted because they are texting or talking on their cell phone.
- Lighting in the area is poor, which keeps the driver from spotting a pedestrian in time to avoid an injury accident. The government agency in charge of maintenance and design can be held responsible in these cases with the help of an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. However, because the timeline for filing is much shorter, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure paperwork is filed.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. Call me for my free and friendly advice if you were injured by a negligent motorist at (916) 921-6400. You can also reach me at (800) 404-5400 or by filling out the short form online.
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For the past 38 years, I’ve helped injured residents from Sacramento and the rest of Northern California get the compensation they deserve after being injured by another’s negligent actions. Although I specialize in car accidents, traumas, and wrongful deaths, I also handle other types of cases.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_11765047_l-2015
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