A woman was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the afternoon of June 10, 2010 after she was struck by a large truck that was making a turn. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the woman was crossing the busy street in the 600 block of Hauser Boulevard, near Wilshire Boulevard, when the big rig struck her. She died at the scene.

My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this deceased victim. I offer my deepest sympathies to them. Please keep this victim's grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 104 fatalities and 2,716 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles. Countywide, 214 people died and 4,985 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.

What Caused this Accident?

Based on this news report, it is not clear exactly how or why this fatal collision occurred. There are still several unanswered questions here. Was the pedestrian in a crosswalk at the time of the intersection? Was the driver of the big rig under the influence? Was he or she distracted or otherwise negligent at the time? Was there a dangerous condition on that roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this accident? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine what precisely occurred here.

Laws and Liability Issues

California law requires motorists to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. 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." If the driver of the big rig is determined to have been at fault here, both he and his employer could be held liable for the victim's wrongful death.

In such cases, families of deceased car accident victims would be well-advised to seek the legal counsel of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the collision. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental entity in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

What are some of the most dangerous roadways in your city as far as pedestrians are concerned?

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.