Pedestrian Injured on Valley Hi Drive in Sacramento
A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle on Valley Hi Drive in Sacramento on January 19. According to the report by the Sacramento Police Department, the accident happened close to Franklin Boulevard at about 5:30 p.m. Emergency responders with the Sacramento Fire Department transported the pedestrian, described as an adult male, to a nearby hospital. The driver that struck the walking man stayed at the accident site and was cooperating with police officers conducting the investigation. Police reported that drunk driving did not appear to be involved in the collision.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents causing injuries and fatalities in Sacramento nearly doubled in 2017 and seem to become more common as time goes on. While some of the accidents involving people on foot are their fault, such as wearing dark clothing after dark or crossing without a light, many are due to negligent motorists. Some of the ways in which a motorist can be negligent include:
- The motorist is speeding and strikes someone on foot. The faster a driver is going, the more likely serious injuries or a fatality will occur if they strike a pedestrian. In addition, a speeding driver has a more difficult time avoiding a person in the street or cannot stop in time to avoid a collision.
- A driver who is fatigued can miss spotting a person walking in the crosswalk or elsewhere. Fatigued driving can be caused by keeping late hours the night before, doing shift work, or medical conditions such as sleep apnea.
- Distracted driving is a real concern because it leads to many traffic accidents. People on foot are especially vulnerable because they do not have any protection in an impact with a much larger metal vehicle. Hands-free use of cell phones is permitted in California. However, it has been shown that using a cell phone at all while driving is dangerous.
- Drunk or drugged driving is a common cause of all types of accidents. This is because being intoxicated can affect the driver’s vision, judgment, and reflexes, making it more likely that an accident will occur.
Help From a Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyer
When you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it can cause high medical bills and lost time from work, as well as the pain and suffering you endure. An experienced personal injury lawyer’s job is to get you the compensation you deserve if negligence by another person or entity was the cause. Our trained investigators go out to the accident site right away to gather evidence as well as look over the police report for mistakes and talk to witnesses. They perform accident reconstruction, which can show how the walker was injured. The investigators also look for surveillance cameras from businesses and city or county controlled ones. In some cases, a government entity may be responsible because of a malfunctioning crossing light, poor visibility, or other factors. When all the evidence has been compiled, it is handed over to our lawyers, who build a strong case for compensation either in court or from the insurance company.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Pedestrian accident injuries are often serious and require extended hospitalization. However, if a negligent motorist caused that injury, the injured person can place a claim for compensation to pay medical costs, lost wages, and for their pain and suffering. Phone my office using (916) 921-6400, or if phoning long-distance, use (800) 404-5400 for my free and friendly advice. Some people prefer to message me by filling out the online form.
I am honored to belong to:
I have successfully won compensation for many Sacramentans and Northern Californians during my 38 years as an injury lawyer. From all types of traffic accidents to wrongful deaths or traumas such as brain injuries, I work hard to get you the compensation that you deserve.
At the following links, you can find reviews by my clients and cases handled by my firm:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_109582940_l-2015
:cd llo [cs 696]