California Injury Blog
A 4-year-old child was injured in an Orange County car accident after being struck by a vehicle at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Quatro Avenue and Figueroa Street in Garden Grove the evening of April 23, 2011. The child was transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police are investigating the cause of this accident.
My heart goes out to this injured child. I sincerely hope his or her injuries were not major. Please keep this young victim in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 49 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Garden Grove. In Orange County as a whole, 31 people died and 785 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.
Laws Relating to Pedestrians
Based on this news report, it appears that the child was hit at the intersection of Quatro and Figueroa, which is residential neighborhood. Officials have not said whether the child darted into traffic or if he or she was crossing with someone at the intersection. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950, motorists are required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
The same section also states: “This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.”
Fault and Liability
If the driver in this case is determined to have been at fault, then he or she could be held liable for the injuries caused to the child. Injured victims and their families in such cases could seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization and other related damages. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer can also help determine whether a dangerous condition on the roadway may have caused or contributed to the injury accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental agency must be properly filed within six months of the accident or injury.
Seriously injured in an Orange County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Garden Grove pedestrian accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Orange County personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.