Traffic Accident at 47th Avenue Injured Pedestrian
A major pedestrian injury occurred in Sacramento’s Lemon Hill area recently, after a vehicle struck a walker. The accident occurred around 4:31 in the afternoon at 47th Avenue and 47th Street in front of the gasoline station in the Lemon Hill area, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details of the Pedestrian Injury
It was reported that the pedestrian was a female and had suffered a major injury. Emergency responders with the Sacramento Fire Department arrived to assess her injuries and transported the pedestrian to a local hospital for treatment. A tow truck was called to the scene to recover the vehicle involved in the major pedestrian injury accident as evidence.
Pedestrian Injury in Sacramento
As elsewhere in California, the number of pedestrian injuries in Sacramento has risen over the past decade. This is partly due to an increase in the number of pedestrians and traffic congestion. The Governors Highway Safety Administration reports a significant rise in the number of fatalities in 2019, with a 60-percent increase over the decade beginning in 2009. By comparison, there was a 2-percent rise in other traffic accidents over the same period.
Reasons for Increase in Pedestrian Injuries
Several common reasons account for the increase in pedestrian accidents:
- The influx of more SUVs and trucks on the road limits the driver’s ability to see pedestrians which leads to more pedestrian deaths.
- Distracted driving is now the number one reason for accidents. This behavior includes using a cell phone, texting, changing the radio, or talking to passengers in the vehicle.
- Drunk driving is still a reason for many accidents, including those involving a pedestrian. Drivers who are impaired lose their cognitive ability and fail to control their vehicles.
- Speeding is another big reason pedestrian injury occurs. It is much harder for a driver to stop in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian. The faster the vehicle is moving, the greater the severity of a pedestrian injury.
- Left-hand turns are another source of pedestrian accidents. More pedestrian injuries result when drivers are turning left rather than right.
Liability in a Pedestrian Accident
Liability is based on negligence. A driver who fails to honor his or her duty of care toward others, including other motorists and walkers, is considered negligent. The injured party must prove that this negligence caused the accident and the plaintiff’s injuries to place liability.
Types of Pedestrian Injury
- Damage to soft tissue: This category includes strains and sprains, most notably whiplash injuries. Some, such as lacerations, are quicker to heal, but cuts to the face may require plastic surgery. A cervical sprain may result in months or years of neck, head, and upper back pain.
- Head injuries: Injuries to the head and brain can cause a life-altering result. Some resolve quicker than others (concussion). Traumatic brain injuries, such as hematomas, may require surgery. Depending on the severity of a TBI, the person may require life-long care.
- Fractures: Broken bones are common in a pedestrian accident. They range from simple fractures to compound ones. The latter is one where the bone punctures the skin. It usually requires emergency surgery.
Investigating a Pedestrian Accident
An investigation is an essential part of resolving a pedestrian accident. We send our investigators to the scene of the crash to collect evidence of negligence. This involves searching the location for clues as to why and how the accident occurred. The investigators speak to witnesses, obtain videos of the crash in real-time, and employ accident reconstruction techniques. Once all the information is gathered, our investigative team turns the data over to our lawyers, who use it to build a strong case for clients.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
I am Ed Smith, and I am a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. Let me help you if another’s negligence has injured you. Contact me at (800) 404-5400 or call (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly advice. You can message me online.
I’ve helped many clients get the compensation they need since 1982 in wrongful death cases, traumatic brain injuries, and other traumas.
I am proud to belong to the following organizations:
Learn more about my practice by visiting the pages listed below:
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