A 22-year-old woman was injured in a Costa Mesa car accident when a Porsche 944 struck her as she crossed the street. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the pedestrian accident occurred on Newport Boulevard at Industrial way in Costa Mesa, the morning of February 18, 2012. Officials say the woman was crossing the road at the intersection, but outside a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision. She sustained major head trauma and her injuries are considered serious. It is not clear if the male driver of the Porsche will be cited for the collision.
My heart goes out to the woman injured in this Orange County pedestrian accident. I wish her the very best for a complete and quick recovery. Please keep the victim in your thoughts and prayers.
Orange County Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two fatalities and 57 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the city of Costa Mesa. Throughout Orange County, 41 people were killed and 864 were injured in pedestrian accidents, during the same year.
Crosswalk Laws
Based on this news report, the victim was apparently outside a crosswalk at the intersection. Officials are requesting more information from anyone who may have witnessed the crash. Why was the driver unable to avoid the collision? Was he driving distracted or exceeding the speed limit?
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."
Liability Issues
If the driver is determined to have been at fault in this case, he can be held liable for the woman’s severe injuries. Victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related expenses. Pedestrian accident victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer, who will be able to 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. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a California public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
SLS Consulting