Accident on Fruitridge Road Injures Pedestrian
Major injuries were reported to a pedestrian in Sacramento on January 16 following a collision with a motor vehicle. The incident occurred around 6:11 p.m. along eastbound Fruitridge Road and Odea Drive in the Lemon Hill area, according to the report issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Medics with the Sacramento Fire Department arrived at the accident scene, where they determined the pedestrian had suffered major injuries.
Accident Being Investigated to Determine Fault
The medics at the accident scene transported their patient to a hospital for additional treatment. No information was provided on the vehicle that struck the pedestrian. The accident is under review by investigators to determine fault and how it occurred.
Major Injuries Are Common in a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians are more vulnerable than others when it comes to accident injuries, especially if a motor vehicle driver was the cause. Injuries that can occur include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Abdominal trauma
- Chest injuries
Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident With Major Injuries
Negligence by the driver of a motor vehicle is a common cause of a pedestrian accident that results in major injuries. The most common types of negligence that contribute to a pedestrian accident include:
- Running a red light is probably the most common cause of a pedestrian accident. Because the driver is often speeding at the time they run the light, major injuries to the pedestrian are common. It has been shown that the faster the vehicle is traveling, the higher the risk of the pedestrian becoming a fatality or suffering serious trauma.
- Failure to yield is another problem that contributes to a pedestrian accident. The pedestrian, when crossing an intersection, has the right of way. When a motorist refuses to yield to someone crossing the street, it can cause an accident resulting in major injuries.
- Drunk driving is responsible for many accidents, including those that involve people on foot. The drunk driver has problems focusing, cannot control their speed and often weaves in and out of the lanes, which can cause a collision with a pedestrian or others.
- Distracted driving has become the number one cause of accidents. A driver who is texting, checking their GPS, changing a radio station, or performing other activities takes their eyes, hands, and focus from the surrounding traffic and roadway.
- Making a risky turn at an intersection can impact bicycle riders and pedestrians who are crossing the street. Because the driver is concentrating on their own actions, they don’t always look out for people who are on foot.
Recovery of Damages Following a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians often suffer major injuries in a collision. However, if a negligent driver caused the accident, they may place a claim for compensation to recover the following:
- All medical costs that arise as a result of the accident are recoverable from the ambulance fee to hospitalization, surgeries, prescriptions, physicians’ bills and more. If the injury extends into the future, those costs are recoverable also.
- Wages that are lost because the injured person cannot work can be recovered. Included are any tips, bonuses, insurance and pension coverage, and more. If the injury continues into the future, that amount of lost wages are recoverable.
- Compensation for the injured party’s pain and suffering is recoverable also. This includes not just the physical trauma but emotional and psychological pain and suffering.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Pedestrian injuries in a motor vehicle collision can be serious. If a negligent driver was the cause, the injured party may wish to find out if they can file a claim for compensation. Contact us for our free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400. You can also call us at (800) 404-5400, or connect with us online.
We belong to:
At the links that follow, you can discover how our injury lawyers have helped others:
Photo attribution: Image by Brian Merrill from Pixabay
:cd llo [676]