John Diaz Died In Huntington Beach Car Accident With Pickup Truck On Slater Avenue, West of Keelson Lane
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA (January 3, 2022) – A pedestrian identified as John Diaz died in a Huntington Beach car accident on Slate Avenue, west of Keelson Lane.
Orange County officials are saying that the collision took place around 6:50 p.m. on Friday. John Diaz was walking when he was hit by an eastbound Chevrolet pickup truck.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Despite the best efforts of first responders, John Diaz was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Huntington Beach Pedestrian Accidents
Far too many pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in California. According to the Orange County Register, “Orange County has maintained an elevated rate for accidents involving those on foot over the past five years. In 2016 and 2017, the accidents reported reached nearly 900 incidents a year. As depicted below, the cases dropped slightly between 2018 and 2019, but still yielded severe injuries and fatalities.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to any pedestrian accident.
- Speeding
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
- Distracted driving
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk. Even if a pedestrian is outside of a crosswalk, drivers must slow down and take any other action necessary to safeguard the wellbeing of the pedestrian. If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a car accident could extend beyond any driver. Pickup trucks are often used for commercial purposes such as construction or landscaping. In general, 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. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any collision.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed in a pedestrian accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a wrongful death claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain an suffering. Sadly, though, it is common for drivers to deny all liability for any collision they are involved in. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Huntington Beach Pedestrian Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of John Diaz. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family. It is our sincere hope that city officials will consider measures to make this road safer for everyone.
Do you need more information about a Huntington Beach pedestrian accident? We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
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