Pedestrian Killed on Highway 99 in Sacramento
A pedestrian fatality occurred on January 30 after an individual was struck by a big rig along northbound California State Route 99 during the evening hours. The accident happened at about 7:12 p.m. just west of the westbound 47th Avenue exit ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) collision report. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and called the county coroner when it was determined that the pedestrian had died. The driver of the big rig, described as a fuel truck, remained at the accident scene and was cooperating with police in their investigation. The CHP is investigating to determine what happened. Chad Fournier, 39, was confirmed by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office as the pedestrian who was killed in this tragic accident.
Traffic Snarled by Fatal Accident
A SigAlert was issued after a hard closure was required for lanes three and four of SR 99. The two right-hand lanes were blocked at 47th Avenue and the off-ramp. Traffic became heavily congested in the area, and motorists were advised to seek an alternate route.
Loss of a Loved One After a Traffic Accident
Every day, families are notified that their loved one has died in a pedestrian fatality. The shock and grief felt at that moment are frequently overwhelming. In this harrowing time, a bereaved person needs help from other family members and close friends. Some ways to do this are listed below:
- It is important for family members to understand the needs of the bereaved. Every situation is different, and no two people grieve in the same way.
- Let the person take the lead when you visit. Frequently, the bereaved person will go over the details of the accident repeatedly. Allow them to do this since it helps them accept the fact that the accident really happened.
- Offer to do routine tasks. This includes picking up groceries and medical prescriptions.
- Prepare easily warmed meals and drop them off to the family.
- Offer to drive the bereaved to appointments.
Pedestrian Fatalities on Highways
Many pedestrian fatalities occur on highways and entrance and exit ramps in California. This can happen for a myriad of reasons. Some of the most common are:
- Broken down vehicles and lost cargo: Often, drivers of a broken down vehicle on the highway may leave their car to get help. This also includes people who see the broken down vehicle and enter the highway on foot to get to it. In other instances, cargo may fall off a vehicle, and the driver may enter the highway to retrieve it. If this happens at night, the risk of an accident is more likely.
- Walking on the shoulder of the road: Sometimes, it seems safe to walk on the shoulder of the road when trying to reach a highway call box. Unfortunately, this offers little to no protection to a pedestrian.
- Changing a tire: It is common to see a motorist changing a tire on the shoulder of the road. Distracted drivers may not see them or be looking straight at them when the accident occurs because the hands tend to track toward where the eyes are looking.
- Good Samaritans: We’ve all heard the story of a good Samaritan who is killed trying to help someone with a broken-down vehicle. It is a driver’s responsibility to be aware of such events and move over into an adjacent lane to avoid hitting them.
Main Reasons a Driver Causes a Pedestrian Fatality
Motorists must always be alert about what is going on around them to avoid a pedestrian fatality. Some of the most common reasons such accidents happen are associated with driver error such as:
- Distracted driving: Drivers must always drive defensively. To do this, they need to be focused on the road, not texting on the phone or daydreaming. This includes watching out for other vehicles, roadway debris, or pedestrians. Since pedestrians are less visible, it is easy to see why fatalities involving those on foot occur. Distraction is even more deadly when a vehicle is traveling at highway speeds.
- Drunk driving: A driver who is impaired loses the control a sober motorist has. This predisposes them to pedestrian accidents.
- Road issues: If the road is poorly designed or littered with potholes or debris, the likelihood of an accident is increased. If this occurs, the pedestrian’s family may be able to lodge a lawsuit against the government agency in charge of road maintenance and construction. This type of lawsuit differs from others in terms of the time limits on filing. It is important to talk to a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible after the crash to avoid losing the ability to file.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit will not bring your loved one back or ease your grief, but it can make the financial loss you experience less burdensome. At our firm, we send out our investigative team to the scene of the accident to determine liability. There, they look for physical evidence and examine video footage obtained from traffic surveillance cameras and other sources. Our investigators also review police reports for mistakes and interview individuals who witnessed the accident. Once all evidence has been compiled, it is released to our legal team to use in building a strong case.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Phone me for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 if you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence. You can also reach out to me online.
I’ve helped numerous clients in Sacramento since 1982 with all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic injuries in obtaining the compensation they deserve.
I am proud to be a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates.
Learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/condolences-trauerkarte-letters-3991589/
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