It’s common sense that when you are driving at night you have to give extra attention to the road and watch out for anyone traveling on foot. Some stretches are lit properly and other places are not and sometimes taking a second look can end up protecting a defenseless pedestrian.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 76% of all pedestrian accidents in 2018 across the country happened at night. Locally, Tulare County recorded 14 people killed and 99 people injured in pedestrian collisions in 2019. 10 of those tragic deaths and 43 of those injuries occurred after sundown in Tulare County.
A careless driver can glance down at a phone or lose focus on the street in front of them and fail to see someone crossing the road. The mistake can lead to a tragedy that could be prevented by showing a little extra caution.
Visalia Pedestrian Killed in Collision with SUV
A man was tragically hit and killed on Sunday night in Visalia. ABC30-TV reports the accident happened near the intersection of West Walnut Avenue and South Bardo Street around 7:30 p.m. on November 30, 2020.
Police officers say the 67-year-old man was struck by an SUV in a dark area with very few street lights. The victim was taken to the hospital and later died of his injuries.
The driver involved stayed at the scene of the accident. Police did not find that drugs or alcohol were involved.
Support for Families After a Pedestrian Accident
The loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident will devastate the family left behind. Close relatives will be dealing with the grief caused by a senseless incident while also trying to see to the family’s future.
While nothing can bring back a beloved family member, filing a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver and his or her insurance company may be the only way to protect the family from the financial hardships that follow an accident.
Traffic collisions can leave a family with expensive ambulance and hospital bills. The cost of a funeral can also fall to close relatives The family is also without the financial and emotional support the victim would have provided in the years to come. A claim can demand compensation for these losses a family can suffer at such a vulnerable time.
A close relative like a husband or wife or domestic partner can file this claim on behalf of the rest of the family. The victim’s children may also file the claim. An attorney can also file for the family and investigate the accident to make sure no evidence is lost while building a strong case.
Contact a Visalia Wrongful Death Attorney
After a pedestrian accident involving the tragic loss of life, contact an experienced Visalia wrongful death lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every family should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
