California Injury Blog
Two teen girls were injured in a pedestrian accident near Redlands High School.
According to a KTLA news report, the incident occurred the morning of Dec. 15 when the high school juniors were in the crosswalk at Citrus Avenue and Church Street. That’s when they were struck by a Toyota pickup truck.
Crosswalk Accident
Redlands police said the driver of the pickup was trying to make a left turn onto Citrus when the collision happened. The driver reported that his view was obstructed by fogging on his windshield and the sun hitting the windshield. He told officials that he did not see the teens before striking them with his vehicle.
He ended up knocking both of them to the ground. The students, who were walking in a marked crosswalk at the time, were treated at the scene for what were described as moderate injuries and taken to a hospital. Police said they determined the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No charges were filed or citations were issued pending an official investigation.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the pickup truck hit the girls as they were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk as they were making their way to school.
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.”
In such cases, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the injuries, damages, and losses caused. Injured victims may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer can help injured victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options and secure maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/2-teen-girls-injured-after-being-hit-by-car-in-crosswalk-near-redlands-high-school/