Joseph Barela, 40, was killed in an Orange County car accident after he was struck by a car the night of September 19, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Barela was crossing East Katella Avenue at North Cambridge Street in Orange, California, when the accident occurred. Officials questioned the female driver of the Toyota Camry that hit Barela. But she was released pending an investigation. Police don't believe speed or alcohol were factors in this accident. Barela was apparently walking in a crosswalk, but traffic investigators are not sure whether he had the right-of-way at the time. If you saw this fatal accident, please call traffic investigators at 714-744-7460.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Joseph Barela for their sudden and tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this man.
Pedestrian Accidents in Orange County
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 33 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Orange, California. In Orange County as a whole, 41 fatalities and 726 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.
This is a pedestrian accident case that no doubt needs an in-depth investigation. Traffic investigators are obviously looking for eyewitnesses who can tell them who was at fault here. Was it Barela's fault for being in the crosswalk when the driver had the right-of-way? Or was it the driver's fault for driving through the crosswalk and fatally injuring Barela?
California Car Accident Law
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."
Joseph Barela's family would be well-advised to consult an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will look into all aspects of this case and help determine whether someone else's negligence caused the accident and Barela's fatal injuries. If a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to this accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.
We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
SLS Consulting