9-Year-Old Boy Died After Getting Off Jacinto City School Van By The Intersection of Pillot Street by Flint Street
JACINTO CITY, TEXAS (October 16, 2022) – A 9-year-old boy has tragically died in a Jacinto City car accident by the intersection of Pillot Street and Flint Street.
Harris County officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. A boy was being dropped off near his home in a private van.
The van was transporting kids home after their time at school. Authorities believe that the boy walked around the front of the van when he was hit.
Driver distraction is a suspected factor in the crash. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The boy attended Jacinto City Elementary School, according to police. It remains unclear if the driver of the school van will face any citations for the crash.
Liability For Jacinto City Pedestrian Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in car accidents every year in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “More than 7,000 pedestrians were killed on our nation’s roads in crashes involving a motor vehicle in 2020.1 That’s about one death every 75 minutes. One in six people who died in crashes in 2020 were pedestrians.” Children and elderly people are the most likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents. There are a number of factors that could contribute to a pedestrian accident.
- Pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur in the early morning or late evening when visibility is reduced.
- Pedestrian accidents occur most often at intersections.
- Pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur when a vehicle has large blind spots.
Vans can be particularly dangerous to pedestrians due to their large blind spots all around the vehicle. Drivers must be aware of those blind spots and check them before heading out onto the road. Common carriers like school bus drivers are held to a “high degree of care” and must do everything in their power to safeguard the well-being of their passengers. To that end, common carriers will typically need to get a commercial license and specialized training in order to operate their vehicles.
All drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code § 552.008, all drivers shall exercise due care to avoid hitting any pedestrian in the roadway. If a driver fails to reduce their speed to avoid a pedestrian, this can form the basis of a negligence claim. Depending on the facts of any case, liability for any pedestrian accident could extend beyond any driver.
If the operator of a van or school bus was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a driver may have been transporting children or adults when they were involved in a crash. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any car accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed in a Jacinto City car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, it is common for drivers to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after a crash.
Investigating A Texas Pedestrian Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the child killed in this Jacinto City collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Jacinto City van accident. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that steps are taken to make our roads safer. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
