Sacramento Crosswalk Pedestrian Injury
A pedestrian injury occurred during the early hours of September 18 in Sacramento after a woman was struck by a motor vehicle. The accident occurred at the intersection of 6th and W streets near Southside Park shortly after 1:00 in the morning. The Sacramento Police Department and fire department arrived at the scene to discover a woman in the roadway with an injury to her head that was bleeding. However, the woman was awake and alert as well as talking.
Bystanders Describe Accident
Bystanders at the accident site said the woman was walking across 6th Street inside the crosswalk and on a green light when a slow moving vehicle struck her. They said she landed on the vehicle’s hood and was carried for several feet and then fell to the ground. Emergency responders at the scene took the woman to a nearby hospital with injuries described as moderate.
Driver Remains at the Scene
The driver of the vehicle that struck the woman stayed at the scene and was assisting until law enforcement and fire crews arrived. Speed, alcohol, and drugs do not appear to be factors in the collision that caused the pedestrian injury.
Intersection Accidents
Intersection accidents are common and account for 2.5 million collisions annually, and 40 percent of them occur in a crosswalk. They are also the location of 50 percent of all serious accidents and 20 percent of fatal ones. This is due to the complexity of an intersection where motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists all come together. Some accidents are due to lack of knowledge of who has the right of way, while others are caused by impatience and driver error. On top of that, 165,000 accidents occur because a driver decides to run a red light.
Pedestrian Injury Accidents
Pedestrians lack the armor that motorists have, making them vulnerable in an intersection. This results in serious injuries and fatalities. One important factor is the use of crosswalks. Motorists are obligated to yield to pedestrians, especially in crosswalks. The design of the crosswalk is important, and signals must be configured to give pedestrians enough time to cross safely. This is important for older walkers or the disabled who may take longer to complete their journey to the other side of the street. Speed is another factor in a pedestrian injury. The speed of impact can make the difference between a minor injury and a fatality. Studies have shown that vehicles that were traveling 27 mph had a 10-percent risk of causing a serious injury. Another vehicle moving at 33 mph had a 50-percent chance of causing a serious injury. At 50 mph there is a 90-percent risk of severe damage.
Other Factors in a Pedestrian Accident
The age of the pedestrian also needs to be considered. At 70 years of age, even an impact at a slower speed can cause traumatic injuries. If the design of the crosswalk or non-functioning signals were instrumental in causing the accident, the city agency responsible for construction and upkeep can be held responsible. The time limit in which a pedestrian can lodge a claim against the government is different than with other claims. Your attorney will ensure all documents are filed in time.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Suffering a pedestrian injury can be traumatic for any walker. Pelvic fractures and head injuries can result in surgery and long periods of hospitalization and rehabilitation. It is important to have a personal injury lawyer at your side since insurers and at-fault drivers will be working to disclaim responsibility. Our firm immediately sends our investigative team to the accident site to gather evidence of negligence, review police reports for accuracy, obtain video footage from traffic cams and nearby businesses, and interview witnesses. We then turn this information over to our legal team to build a strong case in your favor.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. Pedestrians are vulnerable when crossing the street, even when they are obeying traffic laws. If you have been injured by a negligent motorist, please get in touch with me at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice. I can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by filling out the online form at AutoAccident.com.
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During my 37 years of practice as a personal injury lawyer, I’ve handled many cases successfully for Sacramento residents by helping them get fair compensation for their injuries. Whether you have lost a loved one through a wrongful death, or been injured in a traffic collision or by some other form of negligence, I’ll work hard to help you get the compensation you deserve.
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Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_151602226_l-2015
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