California Injury Blog
Amelia Ordona, 73, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was hit by at least six different vehicles on Pacific Coast Highway at the intersection of Winding Way, in Malibu. According to a CBS news report, Ordona and her 67-year-old sister, Amaro Pabalan, were crossing the highway to catch a bus the morning of March 15, 2010, when they were both struck. Ordona was hit initially, by a 2006 Honda Accord driven by 48-year-old Jay McNamara. The impact from the collision threw Ordona to the other side of the highway where she was struck again by about six more vehicles that were heading south. She died at the scene. Pabalan was also injured, but is expected to survive.
I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Amelia Ordona for their tragic loss. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers. I also wish Pabalan the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her injuries.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but seven injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Malibu, California. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 people died and 4,985 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.
What Caused this Collision?
Based on this news report, the driver of the Honda who first hit Ordona and Pabalan, said that he could not see the pedestrians because of the women’s dark clothing, poor lighting and roadway conditions. Still, there are several questions here. Were the women walking in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at the time? Were they crossing against a light? Who had the right-of-way at the intersection at the time of the accident? I trust investigators are examining all factors and also, interviewing eyewitnesses in order to determine exactly what happened here.
Claim for Compensation
If the driver was at fault here, then, he could be held responsible for Ordona’s wrongful death and the injuries caused to Pabalan. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, which caused or contributed to this accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental entity in California must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.