Accident on Howe Avenue Injures Pedestrian
A pedestrian injury occurred in Sacramento on November 23 when an individual on foot was struck by a motor vehicle at the entrance to an apartment building. The accident happened around 5:10 p.m. on Howe Avenue between Alderbrook Way and Bell Street. First responders with the Sacramento Fire Department were called to the scene to assess injuries to the pedestrian. Those injuries were determined to be minor. The accident is being investigated by police to find out how it happened and to assign fault.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accident deaths are most common in urban areas, with close to 80 percent occurring there in 2018. The vast majority of all fatalities involving a pedestrian happens after dark and on the weekends. The reasons for this are because pedestrians are hard to see after the sun sets, and more drunk and drugged drivers are on the road during the weekends.
Number of Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities
In 2017, approximately 6,000 pedestrians were killed nationwide. This amounts to one pedestrian death every 88 minutes. In addition, about 137,000 pedestrians were seen in emergency rooms and other medical facilities for injuries. Overall, pedestrians are roughly 1.5 times more at risk for a fatal injury in an accident than occupants in a passenger vehicle.
According to government sources, older Americans (those 65 years of age or more) are more likely to be killed in a traffic accident as a pedestrian. This happens at a rate of 20 percent in the United States and accounts for 10 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. Younger walkers ( those under 15 years of age) are also at a higher risk for pedestrian death and make up 20 percent of all children killed when walking.
Biggest Reasons for a Pedestrian Injury
The following are some of the biggest causes of pedestrian accidents:
- Poor visibility often leads to a pedestrian accident.
- Many pedestrian accidents occur when a driver fails to yield to a walker crossing the roadway.
- Lack of lights in a pedestrian crosswalk can make it difficult for a driver to see the person on foot. An injured pedestrian can file a claim against the city agency responsible for keeping the area well lit. Such claims have different time limits than others, and it is best to ask your attorney how long you have to file.
- A poorly marked crosswalk is another problem that causes many pedestrian accidents and could involve the government agency in charge.
- Poor headlights on a vehicle can make it harder to see a person walking on the road and cause a pedestrian injury accident. If this is due to manufacturer issues, a product liability lawsuit might be filed.
- Speeding drivers are often unable to stop in time to avoid a pedestrian injury accident.
Investigating a Pedestrian Injury Accident
At our law firm, we understand the need for evidence in successfully resolving an accident case. Because of this, we send our experienced investigative team to the accident site to look for reasons the crash happened and evidence of liability. To this end, our team performs accident reconstruction techniques that show the position of the vehicle and the pedestrian before, during, and after the accident.
They also look for videos of the accident from traffic surveillance cameras, storefront videos, and other sources. Once all the evidence is accumulated, the investigators release it to our lawyers. The information is then used in building a robust case for our client.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. Pedestrian injuries caused by a negligent driver can result in extensive hospitalization and big medical bills as well as time off work. Call me for my free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 in Northern California as well as (800) 404-5400 if you’re calling long-distance. We also offer an online contact form.
It is an honor for me to have helped Sacramentans obtain compensation following an accident injury since 1982. My law office handles all sorts of traffic crashes, cases involving wrongful deaths, and traumas such as brain injuries.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/pedestrians-people-busy-movement-400811/
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