Police have identified a 13-year-old girl who died in a Los Angeles car accident that happened the morning of February 26, 2010, as Julia Siegler. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the teenager was trying to cross Sunset Boulevard to catch a school bus when she was clipped by a vehicle and then run over by another. Police say preliminary reports show that Julia was crossing against a red light. Both drivers remained at the scene. The girl was taken to a nearby hospital. She succumbed to her injuries.
My heart goes out to Julia Siegler's family for their tragic and untimely loss. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 104 deaths and 2,716 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County as a whole, pedestrian accidents claimed 214 lives and injured 4,985 people during the same year.
Fault and Liability
If the details of this news report are accurate, it seems to me that Julia may have been in a hurry to get to the school bus and crossed the street against a red light. It goes without saying that this is illegal. Just as motorists have a responsibility to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, pedestrians have the responsibility under California law, to yield right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle. At the same time, it is also important in this case to make sure that there was no negligence or wrongdoing on the part of the motorists involved. I trust officials are eliminating those possibilities in the course of their investigation. If officials determine that one of the motorists caused the accident then he or she could be held liable.
Also, in this case, if I were Julia's family member, I would want to find out whether there was a dangerous roadway condition. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Under California Governmental Code section 911.2, any such claim against a governmental agency must be filed within six months of the accident or injury. The best Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.
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.
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