Truck Collides With Disabled Person Using a Lark Scooter
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. A collision occurred recently along Gerber Road in South Sacramento between an individual riding on a Lark scooter and a commercial cylinder truck. Medical personnel were dispatched to the scene to treat the injured scooter rider. It is believed that the injuries the person suffered were not serious.
Accident details
The collision occurred along the eastbound side of Gerber Road just east of Power Inn Road at about 12:40 in the afternoon. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the roadway was blocked for a short time while the scene was investigated and the injured person attended to by medics.
Disabled People More Likely to Die in a Collision
A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, during the period of the study from 2006 to 2012, the fatality rate for those in wheelchairs was one-third higher than that of others in the general population. Forty-eight percent of the fatalities occurred in a crosswalk at an intersection. Thirty-nine percent occurred at intersections with no signaling device. The report went on to say that drivers made no effort to avoid a collision in 78 percent of the accidents. In 21 percent of the crashes, the driver did not yield the right of way to the individual in a wheelchair. Motorized scooters were not included in the study because data was insufficient, so the numbers may actually be much higher.
Using Extra Care Around Disabled and Elderly Pedestrians
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, pedestrian safety is a serious issue. Pedestrians and drivers of motor vehicles are responsible for obeying the rules of the road and watching out for each other to avoid accidents. The DMV warns drivers to allow more time for disabled and older pedestrians to cross the street safely as well as people who are pushing strollers. In the case of pedestrians who are blind, a motorist should stop five feet from the crosswalk to allow sufficient space. Keep in mind also that those who are driving electric or hybrid vehicles cannot be heard by a blind person. Never assume a blind person getting ready to cross a street knows that your car is there.
Recoverable Damages in a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian fatalities in Sacramento almost doubled in 2017, making safety a big issue. Pedestrians often suffer serious injuries when they are in a collision with a motor vehicle. This can translate into extensive hospitalization and mounting medical bills, along with lost time away from work. When a pedestrian accident has been caused by a negligent driver, the following damages may be recovered with the help of a personal injury lawyer:
- The cost of your medical bills is recoverable and includes ambulance service, hospitalization, tests, physician bills, prescriptions and more.
- Extended medical bills are recoverable if your treatment is expected to continue.
- Lost wages from your work, including any bonuses or other extras, are included.
- Pain and suffering includes compensation for your physical as well as psychological and emotional pain. It isn’t unusual for someone who has gone through a traumatic event to have sleepless nights or nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety and other reactions.
- Loss of consortium refers to the lack of a marital relationship because of the accident injury.
- Loss of companionship, affection, and society is recoverable.
- Loss of future earnings can be compensated if the injured person can no longer work due to disability or has to take a lower paying job.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. If you were involved in an accident as a pedestrian and injured by a negligent driver, a seasoned injury lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Please phone me at (916) 921-6400 locally or (800) 404-5400 if you are calling from outside the area for free and friendly advice. I also have a contact form online at my website.
I have helped Sacramento residents and others from around Northern California in obtaining compensation for many serious personal injuries, including wrongful death and all types of car accidents since 1982.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/wheelchair-disability-injured-749985/
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