Pedestrian Died In Riverside Car Accident At Bus Stop Near The Intersection of La Sierra Avenue and King Ranch Road
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (June 25, 2022) – A pedestrian has tragically died in a car accident by a bus stop near the intersection of La Sierra Avenue and King Ranch Road.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:00 a.m. on Friday. A pedestrian was at a bus stop when they were struck by a Honda Civic.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Sadly, the pedestrian died due to the severity of their injuries.
A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Riverside Pedestrian Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in pedestrian accidents every year. According to the IIHS, “A total of 6,516 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2020. Pedestrian fatalities increased 4 percent from 2019, and account for 17 percent of all crash fatalities. Although pedestrian deaths were 13 percent lower in 2020 than in 1975, they have increased 59 percent since reaching their lowest point in 2009.” The vast majority of pedestrian deaths are preventable and involve some amount of human error including:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. This includes scanning the road to avoid pedestrians and other potential hazards. According to California Vehicle Code 21950, the driver of any vehicle must yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway in a lawfully marked crosswalk. If a driver hits a pedestrian on the sidewalk, they will nearly always be held at fault in the event of the crash. Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a pedestrian accident could extend beyond any driver.
A city could be liable for a pedestrian accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property, pursuant to California Government Code 835. Consider, for example, the case of Bonanno v. Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (2003) 30 Cal.4th 139. Darlene Bonanno was seriously injured after being hit by a car while trying to get to a bus stop. The Supreme Court of California affirmed a judgement for the plaintiff which held that the location of the bus stop was in a dangerous condition. Particularly, the bus stop required pedestrians to walk across a busy, uncontrolled intersection. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any pedestrian accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Any history of accidents at a given location should be understood.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a Riverside pedestrian 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. Sadly, though, cities will often fight hard to deny responsibility for any pedestrian collision. A pedestrian accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Liability In Riverside Pedestrian Accidents
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim that died in this accident. 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 steps are taken to prevent other tragedies at this location.
Do you need more information about a Riverside pedestrian accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. 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 those rights are being protected. 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.
