James Ingram Died In Tulare Truck Accident On South Blackstone Street Between Kern and Sonora
TULARE, CALIFORNIA (May 4, 2022) – An elderly pedestrian identified as James Ingram has tragically died in a Tulare car accident involving a truck on South Blackstone Street between Kern and Sonora.
Tulare County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday. James Harris Ingram was trying to cross the street when he was hit by a truck under unclear conditions.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
Sadly, James Ingram was beyond medical aid and died nearly 30 minutes after being admitted. Police interviewed the driver of the truck who remained at the scene.
A full investigation into the Tulare pedestrian accident that killed James Ingram remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In California Pedestrian Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured in accidents every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in accidents in 2017. Another 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms for their injuries. Young children and elderly pedestrians tended to be at the greatest risk of being involved in a collision. There are a number of steps that drivers should take in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Drivers should always slow down when pedestrians are at crosswalks or appear as if they may intend to cross.
- Drivers should always scan the road ahead of them.
- Drivers should abstain from alcohol or substances that could impair them.
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to pedestrians that are crossing the roadway in a marked crosswalk. Many pedestrian accidents occur when drivers fail to scan the road ahead of them. Accidents are also more likely if drivers make dangerous turns without checking for pedestrians.
If a truck driver hits a pedestrian, the company that they work for could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. An action will typically fall within the course of a worker’s job duties if it is substantially related to what they were hired for. There are many steps that should be taken after any pedestrian accident.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, truck companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. 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 California Pedestrian Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of James Harris Ingram who died in this Tulare accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There are a number of questions that need to be answered. Was the driver involved in this crash distracted? Were they speeding?
Do you need more information about a Tulare pedestrian accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims and holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. 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.