Pedestrians face obstacles to their safe travel no matter when they walk in Bakersfield, but at dusk, dawn, and nighttime the risks can be even greater. Careless drivers who don’t stay vigilant and watch for anyone on foot who may be nearby, get even more careless when lighting is reduced and when they should be paying more attention to the lanes.
A mistake by a motorist can place a pedestrian in an unavoidable accident that can result in a severe injury and, in the most extreme cases, tragically claim a life. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) found that in 2019 25% of pedestrian deaths occurred in crashes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and 24% occurred between 9 p.m. and midnight.
These accidents turn more tragic when the drivers responsible for a collision choose not to accept the consequences of their actions and drive away.
Pedestrian Killed in Hit And Run Accident In Bakersfield
A woman tragically lost her life after getting struck by a car in Bakersfield Sunday evening. KGET-TV reported the accident happened around 6:45 p.m. on South Union Avenue on February 28, 2021.
The California Highway Patrol said in a news release that the female pedestrian was walking just south of Belle Terrace when she was hit by a vehicle traveling south. The victim was taken to Kern Medical where she died from her injuries.
The driver involved did not remain on the scene. No information on the driver’s appearance or the vehicle’s description was released. The investigation into the accident continues. If you have any information about the crash please contact the Bakersfield Police Department.
Help for Family Members After a Pedestrian Accident
The terrible repercussions of fatal accidents will extend to the loved ones left behind. It’s at this difficult time that additional hardships can occur. A family can suddenly be targeted by extreme financial issues resulting from the accident. Medical bills, including ambulance fees, can arrive before the family has even been given time to grieve. The cost of a burial and fees for estate settlement can also come due. This will come at a time when the family is suddenly without the wages the victim earned at his or her job.
All of these problems should be laid at the feet of the car insurance company of the at-fault driver. If a hit-and-run driver is eventually located and arrested, the family can move forward with a wrongful death claim. This claim could demand help for a spouse, domestic partner, children of the victim, and in some cases the parents of the victim. The burden of any immediate bills could be lifted from the family. The emotional and financial support the lost loved one can no longer provide the family in the years to come can also be considered.
If the suspect, unfortunately, is never located families can still hope to get help to protect them from bankruptcy over an accident. A claim can be made on the victim’s own car insurance policy. If the victim didn’t have his or her own insurance coverage, he or she may have been covered on a family member’s insurance policy. This wrongful death claim would be filed on the uninsured motorist portion of the insurance coverage.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Bakersfield
If your family has lost a loved one due to the carelessness of a driver contact an experienced Bakersfield Wrongful Death Accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free and confidential case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian works closely with every family that he represents. He believes that your family deserves honest advice and the personalized attention to detail your case deserves.
