Car accidents: Freak crash between 2 vehicles kills pedestrian

Losing a loved one at this time of the year when most people are excitedly anticipating the holidays can be traumatic because it may mar the holiday seasons of years to come. One family was recently dealt such a blow when a freak accident killed a pedestrian in California. This was one of those car accidents in which all the vehicle occupants survived the collision while a pedestrian who was at the wrong place at the wrong time was struck and killed.

According to a report by Los Angeles Police Department, the crash happened shortly before 9:30 a.m. when the driver of a car allegedly failed to yield as he entered a street from a private driveway. He pulled out directly into the path of an SUV that was operated by a 38-year-old man. Authorities say it appears as if the impact of the collision caused the driver of the car to become unconscious, leaving the car to continue on an uncontrolled path of destruction.

Police say it left the roadway, mounted the sidewalk, smashed into a wall and then knocked down a tree. It crossed back over the road, but not before striking a pedestrian. The car ultimately came to a halt when it crashed into a light pole. They say the 28-year-old driver, his front seat passenger and three minor children in the back seat all suffered injuries of varying severity, while the SUV driver suffered minor injuries. Reportedly, the pedestrian was taken to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

When loved ones are lost in car accidents that result from the negligence of other parties, the victim’s surviving family members are entitled to pursue claims for financial relief. They may file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party or parties deemed responsible in a California civil court. However, such claims are based on negligence which is may be challenging to prove in court. This is where the skills of an experienced personal injury attorney come in. A lawyer may be best equipped to assist with pursuing recovery of financial and emotional losses.

Source: NBC Los Angeles, “Woman Killed, 6 Others Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash in Arleta“, Dec. 2, 2017