A 60-year-old man who was killed in a pedestrian accident in San Francisco has been identified by local authorities as Willie Speights. Bay City news reports that Speights was disabled and using crutches when he attempted to cross an off-ramp from the Highway 101 at Cesar Chavez Street. He was struck by a vehicle. Speights was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver was not injured. He has not been arrested or cited pending an official investigation.
My heart goes out to Speights' family and friends for their devastating loss. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accidents in San Francisco
There were 16 fatalities and 790 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in San Francisco in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Also, during the same year, 35 deaths and 3,577 injuries were reported as a result of all car accidents in the city of San Francisco.
Crosswalk Laws
According to California Vehicle Code section 21950: "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 Speights was walking in a crosswalk, the driver should have yielded right-of-way under the law. If it is determined that the driver was at fault for this accident, then he or she could be held liable for Speights' wrongful death. I would also be curious to find out if the motorist was impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent at the time of the fatal collision. An experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney will be able to advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options.
What can be done at freeway on-ramps or off-ramps to ensure better pedestrian safety?
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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