A woman was critically injured in a San Francisco pedestrian accident after she was struck by a motorcycle in a Gilroy parking lot the afternoon of May 29, 2010. According to a Bay City News report, the woman was in a parking lot in the 6900 block of Cameron Boulevard when she was hit by the motorcycle. She had to be airlifted to a local trauma center where she remained in critical condition. Eyewitnesses told officials that the motorcycle rider had been driving recklessly in the parking lot. Authorities are looking into whether the rider was under the influence at the time. An investigation is ongoing.

I sincerely hope this pedestrian did not sustain catastrophic injuries in this terrible collision. I hope she makes it through her injuries and goes on to make a complete recovery. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

There was one death and eight injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Gilroy, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Santa Clara County as a whole, 22 deaths and 466 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

There are several unanswered questions here. Was the motorcyclist under the influence? Why was he driving recklessly in the parking lot? Was there a dangerous condition in the parking lot, which may have caused or contributed to this pedestrian's injuries? I trust officials are looking at toxicology test results in order to determine what may have occurred here.

If it is determined that the motorcyclist was at fault, he could face both criminal charges and civil liability here. The injured victim could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and possibly, even long-term care. However, if the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured, then the woman may be able to secure compensation through the uninsured/underinsured motorist clause of her own auto insurance policy.

There are several issues involved in such cases, which may be best explained by an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to make a determination regarding any dangerous conditions in the parking lot that may have contributed to the injury collision. If that was the case, the property owner could also be held liable.

What proactive steps do you take as a pedestrian to prevent accidents?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.