San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog
Two young women and a 5-year-old boy were struck by a vehicle while walking in an Oakland crosswalk in mid-July. A surveillance video at a nearby restaurant recorded the accident that took place at the intersection of Fruitvale and Brookdale. The three entered the marked crosswalk while walking home from the bus. They noticed the vehicle, yet have stated that they thought it was far enough away that they assumed it would stop. The vehicle did not stop and directly struck the three pedestrians. The two women were thrown into the air and the toddler was dragged under the car.
Each individual survived, but is suffering from significant injuries. One of the young women has a broken pelvis and fractured leg. The other suffered chest injuries and broken ribs. The young boy is now paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury and may be in the hospital for a considerable length of time.
A Dangerous Oakland Intersection
The owner of the nearby restaurant stated there have been at least three incidents of vehicles striking pedestrians in this intersection within the last four years. There are no stop signs, stop lights, or flashing lights to get driver’s attention. The lack of traffic controls along with the high incidence of speeding and distracted driving make the intersection incredibly dangerous.
The restaurant owner and other community members are calling for traffic controls at the intersection and for charges to be filed against the driver. City Council member Noel Gallo represents the district and stated that he hopes this will lead to traffic signals and flashing crosswalk lights there.
Accident Caused by Unlicensed Driver
It appears that the accident at the Oakland crosswalk may have been caused by an unlicensed driver. Witnesses say the driver had a foreign passport but it appears he did not have a California or other U.S. state driver’s license. If the driver who caused the accident was operating a vehicle without a proper license, this could lead to criminal charges and be additional evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
Personal Injury Claims Following a Car Accident
Auto accidents like these often lead to personal injury insurance claims and lawsuits. Pedestrian victims who are not at fault for the accident or their injuries have a right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. Each of the victims in the above situation may have a right to file a claim against the driver’s insurance policy or file suit against the driver. Each individual will have to prove that the driver was careless, reckless, or acted intentionally in harming them. This may include offering evidence that the driver was speeding, intoxicated, distracted, and/or not obeying the law.
During a personal injury claim, victims can pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Mental suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact a San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you were injured in an accident or a loved one was struck by a vehicle, do not hesitate to reach out to Brod Law Firm for advice. We have years of experience representing victims of serious crashes and will strive to obtain you the maximum compensation possible. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 to schedule a free consultation.
(image courtesy of Nabeel Syed)