Pedestrians traveling Bakersfield already face an elevated risk from distracted and careless drivers who don’t always show caution when people on foot might be around.
It’s even harder to understand when drivers choose to engage in reckless acts like speeding or street racing and endanger everyone on the road including pedestrians.
Pedestrians already face extreme dangers across Bakersfield. In 2019, 153 Bakersfield accidents involved pedestrians. Those incidents led to 16 deaths for the year and left another 149 pedestrians with injuries.
Pedestrian Killed by Possible Street Race in Bakersfield
A pedestrian tragically lost his life Thursday night in Bakersfield during what may have been a street race. KBAK-TV reports the accident happened around 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Chester Avenue and West Columbus Street on February 25, 2021.
The Bakersfield Police Department says that they found a man on the road with major injuries. He was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Investigators say a witness saw two cars involved in an illegal street race before one of the vehicles hit the man. That driver and vehicle did not remain on the scene. Police believe they are looking for a white car, possibly a Honda sedan with driver’s side front-end damage. If you have any information about this case you’re asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department.
Finding Support for Families After Bakersfield Pedestrian Accidents
Families who have lost a loved one in a hit-and-run tragedy can wonder how to find closure when a driver chose to leave the scene of an accident rather than accept the consequences of his or her actions. Unfortunately, those consequences can fall to the close relatives of the victim. The costs of ambulance service, hospital care, a burial, and other expenses can all come due at once.
Family members are allowed to file a wrongful death claim to protect themselves from these costs. If a driver is never located, then the family may be able to ask for compensation from the victim’s own car insurance provider using the policy’s uninsured motorist protection. If the deceased didn’t have a car insurance policy, he or she may be covered on a close relative’s policy.
If justice is served and the hit-and-run suspect is arrested, a claim against that driver’s insurance policy can move forward. The driver will be facing several criminal charges and likely have several court dates ahead. Those criminal proceedings won’t affect a family’s civil claim. The wrongful death civil lawsuit can be filed against the insurance company immediately.
Contact a Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
If a reckless driver claimed the life of your loved one, contact an experienced Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free and confidential consultation for your family. Mr. Gasparian believes that families should work directly with their lawyer and be protected from insurance companies that try to delay or deny help to victims just to save money.
