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Teen Pedestrian Killed in Los Angeles Car Accident

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Alice Zhang, 16, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident when a car struck her and a friend as they crossed the street. According to The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Duarte Road in Arcadia the evening of April 10, 2011. Officials say the two teenaged girls were crossing the road in a marked crosswalk when a car driven by a 20-year-old man hit them. Zhang was transported to a local hospital where she died from her injuries. Her 16-year-old friend survived, but suffered serious injuries. The driver has not been charged pending an official investigation.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Alice Zhang following this tragic pedestrian accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the 16-year-old severely injured victim of this crash. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 16 were injured in Arcadia pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 214 fatalities and 4,985 injuries reported due to Los Angeles County pedestrian accidents.

Crosswalk Law

Officials have stated that Alice Zhang was in a crosswalk when she was struck. Under California law, motorists are required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians walking in marked and unmarked crosswalks. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”

Liability Issues

I trust officials are looking into how and why this accident occurred, including whether the driver of the car was intoxicated, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent at the time. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral costs, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. Injured victims or their families can seek compensation for medical expenses, hospital costs, physical therapy and other related damages.

An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer should advise injured victims and their families about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable accident attorney should also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway caused or contributed to the car accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable as well. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental agency must be properly filed within 180 days of the incident.

Lost a family member in a Los Angeles County car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Arcadia pedestrian accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

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