Sleeping Man Hit And Killed By Van In Long Beach By Pacific Coast Highway and Santiago Avenue, Near Recreation Park Golf Course
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA (May 14, 2022) – A man sleeping in bushes died in a car accident after being hit by a car near Recreation Park Golf Course.
Long Beach police officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:50 a.m. on Tuesday. A man who police think may have been homeless was sleeping in bushes and hit by a white Dodge van.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the victim died due to their injuries.
He will be identified once his next of kin have been notified. Neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to have been factors in the crash.
A full investigation into the crash by the Recreation Park Golf Course remains ongoing.
Liability In Long Beach Car Accidents
Los Angeles county has one of the highest instances of pedestrian accidents in California. Nearly one third of all fatal pedestrian collisions involve a driver who was intoxicated. Another third of collisions are due to drivers that are speeding. According to the CDC, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in car accidents in 2017 alone. There are many steps that drivers should take in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Drivers should slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
- Drivers should always scan the road ahead of them.
- Drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
Every driver has a legal obligation to take precaution in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. According to California Vehicle Code 21950 (c), “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 the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.” Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties.
Many vans are used for commercial purposes. If the driver of a van was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees when those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a driver may have been transporting passengers. There are many steps that should be taken after any car accident.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed
When a driver is negligent and kills a pedestrian they can be held at fault through a civil claim. A civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that often come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Potential beneficiaries in a civil claim will typically include a victim’s spouse, children, siblings or parents. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Long Beach Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian who died in this collision by the Recreation Park Golf Course. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable tragedy and there needs to be some accountability for what happened.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed due to the negligent actions of a driver? There are many laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims get the support and justice that they deserve. 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.
