A pedestrian suffered serious injury in a Santa Ana car accident after a vehicle struck him as he crossed the road. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred the afternoon of February 26, 2014 at the intersection of First Street and South Euclid Avenue. Police say a white van traveling east in the number two lane of West First Street struck the man as he was walking southbound across the intersection.
The pedestrian hit the windshield of the van, which belonged to a carpet cleaning company. He is said to have suffered significant head trauma and was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. Police say based on preliminary investigations that the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk, but that the driver of the van may have had the green light. The investigation is still ongoing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this car crash. We wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2011 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were nine traffic fatalities out of which seven involved pedestrians. In Orange County as a whole, 38 people died and 773 were injured due to pedestrian accidents.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that officials are still trying to determine who had the right-of-way at the time of the crash. Officials say the pedestrian was in a crosswalk at the time, but that the driver may have had the green light. California Vehicle Code Section 21954 states: “Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.” The same section also states: “The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway.”
If the van’s driver is determined to have been at fault, the driver and his or her employer can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
An experienced Santa Ana personal injury lawyer will also be able determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Any personal injury claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident under California Government Code Section 911.2.