North Highlands Pedestrian Injury
North Highlands Pedestrian Injury – A pedestrian injury occurred in North Highlands on September 21, 2018, involving a vehicular collision. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the accident involved a compact car, which struck a pedestrian at about 7:30 in the morning at Madison Avenue and Jackson Street. A witness to the incident called in the report and several vehicles stopped to try and help. The Sacramento Fire Department was called to the scene to aid the injured person, who was transported to a nearby hospital. No information has been released by the CHP on the identity of the pedestrian who was struck or the nature and intensity of the injuries. Authorities will be investigating the accident to determine cause and place fault.
Sacramento County Statistics
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 11.710 individuals in Sacramento County were injured or killed in 2015, the last year for which statistics are available. Of this number, 535 were pedestrians. This places the county 24th out of a total of 58 counties. Seventy-one of the pedestrians were under the age of 15, while 55 pedestrians were 65 years of age or older.
Reasons Pedestrian Injury Accidents Happen
There is an assortment of reasons pedestrian accidents happen:
- Drinking: Both pedestrians who have a high blood alcohol level and drunk drivers have a higher incidence of accidents. About 33 percent of all pedestrian accidents involve drinking by either the pedestrian, the driver or both. Drinking has an inverse effect on one’s ability to reason correctly, and both drivers and pedestrians take more chances when drunk. In addition, confusion over who has the right-of-way increases after imbibing.
- Speeding: A pedestrian injury is more likely to occur if the driver is speeding. Not only does speeding make a driver lose control over his or her vehicle but the harmful effects of hitting a pedestrian increase. For instance, pedestrians are less inclined to have a serious injury if the car that struck them is traveling at a speed under 15 mph. However, at 40 mph, the pedestrian will only have a 20-percent chance of living.
- Not yielding for pedestrians: When drivers refuse to yield for walkers either in a crosswalk or outside of one, the chances of a pedestrian injury are high. California Vehicle Code 21950 mandates that a pedestrian has the right-of-way in a crosswalk. It also specifies that walkers must be yielded to in unmarked crosswalks when they are located at an intersection. Overall, the rule instructs drivers to make an effort to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
Pedestrian Responsibility to Avoid Injury
Pedestrians, like motor vehicle operators, have responsibilities on the road. Some ways pedestrians can avoid an accident are:
- Always use crosswalks to prevent a pedestrian injury.
- Don’t get distracted talking to friends or looking at everything except the road.
- Don’t cross if traffic is heavy. Wait until there is a long enough interval to cross.
- Wear bright colored clothing during the day. Carry a flashlight at night or wear reflective clothing.
- If there is no crosswalk, find a well-lit area before crossing.
- Do not walk on bridges or highways where pedestrian traffic is banned.
- Be alert to your surroundings. Using headphones can rob you of the ability to hear vehicles before a crash happens.
- Don’t use your phone while walking. Texting and talking on the phone has been a precursor to many accidents. It only takes a few seconds for a car to suddenly appear in your path.
- Don’t drink and walk. Staying alert can protect you.
Watch YouTube Video: Getting There Safely – Pedestrian Safety. This informative video from the USDOTNHTSA focuses on pedestrian safety by testing the rules of the road.
North Highlands Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a North Highlands pedestrian accident lawyer. While being careful when out walking is essential, there are times when an accident is unavoidable. Call me at (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly advice on how to obtain the compensation you deserve. If you are outside the area, you can reach out to me at (800) 404-5400 or contact me online.
I have helped numerous residents in cases of North Highlands pedestrian injury during the past 36+ years as well as many types of car accidents, wrongful death, and incidents of traumatic brain injury.
I am a long-time member of the Million Dollar Forum.
When you need to retain a lawyer, it is important to learn about their practice. You can read reviews about mine from former clients and my peers as well as see how cases were resolved on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_12208240_l-2015 (1) / North Highlands Pedestrian Injury.
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