Sacramento Wheelchair Pedestrian Accident
A Sacramento wheelchair pedestrian accident occurred on December 26 shortly after noon along East Parkway and Florin Road in the southern part of the city. Details provided about the accident were few, and it was only reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that an ambulance had been called to transport the wheelchair user to a hospital.
At Risk Pedestrians
Pedestrians who are either young, elderly, blind, hearing impaired or disabled in some way are at a higher risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Under the definition of pedestrians in California, those who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices are also considered pedestrians. Because these individuals may need more time to cross a street, motorists are expected to cede the right of way to disabled walkers, and both have a duty of care, so they may cross safely and avoid a Sacramento wheelchair pedestrian accident. Some of the ways a motorist can help include:
- Watch for pedestrians who may be stepping off the curb, even if they do not have the right of way.
- Try to anticipate what the pedestrian is going to do but do not assume. Just as some motorists are unpredictable, walkers are as well and can contibute to a pedestrian accident.
- Never stop in the middle of a crosswalk. When an elderly walker has to walk around a car outside the crosswalk in order to pass, it increases the risk of a pedestrian accident.
- Use extra caution if you drive a hybrid. Those who are blind may not hear the approach of a hybrid vehicle. Offer them extra room to keep them safe from injury.
- Never pass a car stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian may be in the process of crossing, and you could strike them because they are not visible to you.
- Allow extra time for the elderly, disabled and those who have children along.
- Watch for those using curb ramps. Not all curb ramps are located at intersections and may be oddly placed in shopping centers, parking lots or other places.
- Use caution turning right at a red light. This is where a wheelchair pedestrian accident can commonly occur.
Demographics of the Disabled Population
- Twenty percent of all Americans have an ADA-recognized disability.
- Wheelchair users are 33-percent more likely to be injured in an accident with a motor vehicle than other pedestrians.
- Wheelchair users have a 36 percent higher fatality rate.
- The wheelchair users who were most vulnerable were 50 to 64- year-old males with a 75 percent higher fatality rate.
- Men in wheelchairs are five times more likely to be killed than their female counterparts.
- In three out of four accidents involving a wheelchair user, the driver was found to not have used any crash avoidance maneuver. This includes steering away from the wheelchair user or braking.
- In 21 percent of the cases, drivers did not yield.
- Fifty percent of accidents were at intersections, which is one of the reasons for the high rate of pedestrian fatalities in Sacramento in 2017.
- Forty percent of intersection accidents were at crosswalks without a traffic control or pedestrian crossing devices.
- The most common reason drivers give for hitting a pedestrian in a wheelchair is that they did not see them.
What an Injury Attorney Can Do for You
An attorney can help when you are injured in a pedestrian accident. They can investigate the scene of the accident, talk to witnesses and deal with the insurance company on your behalf. If an appropriate agreement cannot be struck with the insurance company, the attorney will take your case to civil court. Remember, an injury attorney does not get paid until you win your case.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. People who walk are particularly vulnerable on the streets, and negligent motorists often cause accidents that result in injuries. If you or someone you care about was injured in a pedestrian accident, I am here to offer you free and friendly advice. You can reach me at (916) 921-6400 locally or (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is located on my website at AutoAccident.com if that is easier for you.
As a California member at milliondollaradvocates.com, I join with other trial lawyers who have won more than $1 million for a client through either a verdict or settlement.
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During my 36 year career working as an injury lawyer, I’ve represented many of the good citizens of Sacramento and other areas of Northern California in all types of motor vehicle accidents, traumas such as brain injuries and in cases involving wrongful death.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/motorized-wheelchair-wheelchair-952190/
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