Student At Hurley Elementary School Injured In Visalia Pickup Truck Accident By Hurley Avenue and Marcin Street
VISALIA, CALIFORNIA (March 31, 2022) – A student at Hurley Elementary school was injured in a car accident with a pickup truck by Hurley Avenue and Marcin Street.
Tulare County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A fifth grader was crossing the street while walking to school when they were hit by a pickup truck.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision by Hurley Elementary in order to help the victim. The student was taken to the Kaweah Health Medical Center for treatment.
The driver of the pickup, who worked for a lawn care and weed control company, remained at the scene and cooperated with police. The speed limit in front of the school is 25 mph.
Any students, parents or witnesses that saw the crash should reach out to police. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Visalia Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable in collisions. They lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for crash related injuries. Pedestrians were also 1.5 times more likely to be killed than passenger vehicle occupants. Elderly pedestrians and young children are statistically more likely to be involved in collisions than other age groups. There are a number of steps that cities can take in order to help prevent pedestrian collisions.
- Cities should heavily enforce traffic violations likely to lead to pedestrian accidents.
- Cities should study intersections with a history of collisions.
- Cities should employ traffic calming measures along roads with a history of speeding
All drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid pedestrians. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 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, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.” School zones, in particular, will often have a maximum speed limit of 25 mph. Failure to take evasive action to avoid hitting a pedestrian could form the basis of a negligence claim.
If the driver of a pickup truck 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 negligent actions of their employees – insofar as the employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, driving to complete some type of service may fall within the scope of an employee’s duties. Victims of pedestrian accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- PTSD
Any person that is injured in a Visalia car accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Many victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for some time after an accident. A pedestrian accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Visalia Pedestrian Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the Hurley elementary school student injured in this car accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. It is our sincere hope that Visalia school district officials will consider additional measures to help keep children safe. This may include hiring more school crossing guards or implementing a Safe Routes to School National Partnership.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Visalia pedestrian accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need to fully recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
