Driver Kills Another Person Trying Avoid Hitting A Pedestrian
Metro News published a story by The Associated Press on December 12 about a fatal car accident in Farmersville. According to the report, the accident occurred about 50 miles southeast of Fresno in Central California. Police said that the driver of a vehicle struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk after the driver swerved to miss a woman who was crossing the street on foot.
The man on the sidewalk died at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision. Police did not release any names. The investigation was ongoing at the time of the news report.
Pedestrian Deaths in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Earlier this year, U.S. News reported that deaths in pedestrian accidents rose by 10 percent in 2015. Reasons listed in the news story for the surge in pedestrian fatalities included:
- Lower gas prices resulted in more drivers on the road;
- An improved economy;
- Growing use of cellphones by drivers and pedestrians;
- Shorter winters and warmer weather; and,
- A growing awareness of the health benefits of walking.
Nationally, 4,884 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents during 2014. This number accounted for 15 percent of all deaths in motor vehicle accidents. In addition to the fatalities, 65,000 pedestrians were injured in motor vehicle accidents during 2014. For California residents, the numbers are stark. California led the country in pedestrian deaths for the second year in a row in 2014. As more people continue to walk for their health and to save money on transportation costs, the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries may continue to increase.
Pedestrians must use caution when walking to avoid being injured in an accident. Drivers have a duty to watch for pedestrians; however, drivers are becoming more distracted behind the wheel. Furthermore, incidents of aggressive driving and road rage are adding to the number of motor vehicle accidents. To help protect yourself and your children from pedestrian accidents, see the following links for pedestrian safety information:
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
Your health is the most important thing after a pedestrian accident. Seek immediate medical attention, regardless of the severity of your injuries. You want to ensure that you do not have any injury that could become worse if you delay medical care. Furthermore, seeing a doctor right after a pedestrian accident can also help protect your right to recover compensation for your injuries from the driver.
Call the police to file a report. It is important to have an accident report. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and obtain the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses and the driver. As soon as possible, contact our office to schedule a free legal consultation with a Fresno pedestrian accident attorney. Avoid discussing the accident with the insurance company for the driver until you have consulted with our attorney.
Call Our Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorney Now
Torem & Associates represents accident victims and their families in Fresno, CA and throughout the surrounding Central California Valley area. You can reach our office by telephone at (888) 500-5000, by chatting with a representative online, or by using our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We want to help you seek compensation for your injuries as you continue to recover from your accident.
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