Woman Killed on Highway 99 After Leaving Her Vehicle
A traffic fatality occurred in Elk Grove on January 5, 2020, following an accident when a woman exited her car. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the woman had been involved in a collision with two other vehicles around 10:30 p.m. along south Highway 99, close to Laguna Boulevard. No one was injured in the crash. The woman had been driving a Toyota Prius and continued along the highway for around ½ mile despite having major damage to the front end of her car. At this point, the vehicle stopped along the center median.
Further Information About the Accident
It was reported that the driver, who became a traffic fatality, exited her car, went across the median and attempted to cross the highway going northbound. This was when she was struck by the driver of a Honda Civic, who was a man from Sacramento, age 29. According to the police report, the Civic driver could not stop his car to avoid striking the woman. It was he who phoned 911 to report the traffic fatality. Officers who responded said that he was cooperating with them in the investigation. The woman was declared dead at the accident scene by firefighters. Officials have identified her as Rubidia Cartagena Albarenga, 20, of Sacramento.
Highway Pedestrian Accidents
Highway collisions involving pedestrians are surprisingly common and often result in a traffic fatality. Most of the time, they occur when someone is walking in the road or standing around after being in a collision. Because vehicles passing by are going at higher speeds, they may not be able to switch lanes or slow down to avoid striking someone. However, distracted driving, speeding, and other traffic infractions can be negligent actions that lead to an injury or traffic fatality. A lawyer can determine whether negligence led to your loved one’s injuries or demise.
Following a Pedestrian Fatality
Dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one can be difficult for family members. They realize that they did not get to say goodbye and often face feelings of grief, disbelief, and shock. Some of the ways that friends and family can help support a grieving person include:
- Offer to help with making funeral and burial arrangements.
- Bring over food or accompany the bereaved person out to eat. Sometimes, a change in the environment can be a small distraction from their grief.
- Offer a sympathetic ear, but don’t say anything that criticizes the deceased person. Those who are grieving may want to talk, and listening to them can help them through the process of adjusting to the loss.
How a Lawyer Can Help
In accidents involving pedestrians, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help if negligence was involved. We send investigators to the crash site to obtain evidence to support your case. The investigators talk to witnesses and look for errors in the police report. They perform accident reconstruction to ascertain the original position of the vehicle and how the incident happened. In addition, they search for nearby traffic or business cameras that may have caught the pedestrian injury accident on tape. All the evidence is handed to our lawyers to use in negotiations with the insurance company or to prepare a case for court.
Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove personal injury lawyer. If you lost a loved one or someone was injured in a traffic accident, I may be able to help you to find justice. Call me at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400 for my free and friendly advice. I can also be reached by leaving me a message on the online form.
Since 1982, I’ve helped Elk Grove and other residents of Northern California obtain fair compensation for their accident injuries. I handle many cases involving traffic accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumas, such as brain injuries.
You are welcome to look over our client reviews and cases that my law firm has handled in the past at:
I belong to the Million Dollar Forum, a group that represents lawyers who’ve won more than one million dollars for a client. In addition, I’m a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, set up to showcase lawyers who uphold the highest standards in the law.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/white-flowers-spring-bloom-garden-4739784/
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