Pedestrians across Bakersfield deserve the complete attention of drivers at all times to ensure their safety. We all become pedestrians when we get out of our cars and walk into places like stores, banks, or restaurants. We are all at risk when walking across a parking lot around careless drivers who may be allowing themselves to be distracted by a cellphone or a passenger.
Bakersfield emergency responders see the terrible toll this driver inattention takes every year. In 2019, the city saw 153 pedestrian accidents resulting in 149 reported injuries. That year 16 victims tragically lost their lives and that doubled the pedestrian fatalities documented in 2018.
Careless drivers can be focused on a dozen other things along a street, sidewalk, or parking lot and become a danger to anyone on foot around them.
A Woman Killed and a Man Injured in a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident
A woman was tragically killed after being struck in a parking lot Monday morning in east Bakersfield. KGET-TV reported the accident happened around 11:15 a.m. at the Bank of America on Oswell Street near Auburn Street on January 11, 2021.
Bakersfield Police say a man and a woman were in line at the ATM when they were hit by a pickup truck attempting to park. The woman suffered major injuries and was taken to the hospital where she later died. The man was also taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
The truck’s driver remained on the scene to cooperate with the investigation. Officers do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.
Support for Victims and Families After a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian tragedy can devastate victims and families and leave them at their most vulnerable point. Family members can find out they’ve lost a loved one and in just a few days have to deal with the heartbreaking process of settling the estate of the victim and trying to secure the future of the loved ones left behind.
Careless drivers should not be let off the hook for their actions. Through a wrongful death claim, a family can hold a driver’s insurance company responsible for every cost of ambulance fees and funeral expenses. Close family members like a spouse, domestic partner, or children of the deceased can also earn compensation to protect the family from financial ruin in the years to come after they’ve lost the income the victim had always provided.
For surviving victims of a collision filing a claim for damages can make sure every cost of medical care is covered. Victims should have the best hospital and rehabilitation care available to give them the best chance of returning to a normal life again. This civil lawsuit can take away the worry of having to pay doctor bills and recover lost wages from missed hours at work. The claim can also demand money for any lost work hours or further medical treatment deemed necessary in the months to come.
Contact a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were the victims of a careless driver, contact an experienced Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident 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 victim and their families should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
