Samira Chalala, 54, was killed in a Long Beach car accident the night of February 24, 2010 after she was hit by a pickup truck at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Press-Telegram, Chalala was walking in an unmarked crosswalk at the intersection of 27th Street and Pasadena Avenue when she was struck by a 1998 Nissan Frontier, which was eastbound on 27th Street. She was transported to a local hospital where she died. The driver of the truck has not been cited or arrested pending a police investigation. Anyone who saw this fatal pedestrian accident is asked to contact Long Beach police officials at 562-570-7355.
My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Samira Chalala for their devastating loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to her grieving family. Please keep them in your prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 234 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 deaths and 4,985 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same period.
Crosswalk Laws
If the details of this news report are accurate, Chalala was crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk. California law requires motorists to yield right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks. 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."
I trust officials in this case are looking into who had right-of-way at the intersection. Was Chalala crossing the intersection against the light or did she have the right-of-way? Or did the motorist have the green light at the time? I trust the results of an official investigation will shed more light on exactly what happened here.
Claim for Compensation
In such cases, victims' families would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether this accident was caused by a dangerous roadway condition. If that was the case, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental agency 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 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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