An 18-year-old man sustained serious injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck by a car the afternoon of April 7, 2010 while riding his skateboard in Whittier. The Whittier Daily News reports that the major injury crash happened near the intersection of Broadway and Comstock Avenue. The skateboarder was unconscious when emergency personnel arrived. Officials said he had been thrown at least 20 feet from where he was struck and sustained severe injuries to his chest, mouth and wrist.
I hope and pray that this teenager has not sustained catastrophic injuries in this crash. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accidents
There was one fatality and 37 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Whittier, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 deaths and 4,985 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2008.
Causes and Liability Issues
If the details of this news report are accurate, the collision seems to have occurred at a street intersection. It is important in such accidents to determine if there were right-of-way issues involved. It is not entirely clear yet whose fault this accident really was. We do not know whether the driver was under the influence if he or she was speeding, distracted or otherwise negligent. It is also not clear from the article exactly where the skateboarder was walking or riding his skateboard when the collision occurred. Was he on the side of the road or was he crossing in a crosswalk or at an intersection? There are more questions than answers here at this point.
An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers can advise victims in such cases about their legal rights and options. If the driver of the vehicle caused this accident, then he or she could be held liable for the teenager's serious injuries. If this accident was caused by a dangerous condition on the roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.
How can skateboarders be safe on public streets?
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 information source 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, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
SLS Consulting