When careless drivers get on narrow, two-lane roads in Santa Cruz County they can quickly be traveling at too great of speed before they realize it. They can also allow themselves to become distracted by a cellphone or something else that takes their eyes from the road. With little space on either side of these roads, any loss of control can result in a dangerous mistake.
Pedestrians who stay off the roads to keep themselves safe can still be the victims of a terrible accident when motorists make driving errors and leave the roadway. Suddenly, a mistake behind the wheel can endanger everyone in the car and anyone who happens to be nearby.
Santa Cruz County can be a particularly dangerous place for pedestrians, especially when they must travel so close to vehicle traffic. County responders recorded 85 accidents involving pedestrians in 2019. Those incidents led to the tragic deaths of five people and left another 92 people injured.
Pedestrian Killed After Rollover Accident in Santa Cruz County
A woman tragically lost her life after being hit by an SUV on Tuesday afternoon in Santa Cruz County. KION-TV reported the accident occurred around 2 p.m. along Freedom Boulevard near Day Valley Road on March 9, 2021.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said a 55-year-old woman from Aromas was driving a Volvo XC when she traveled off the south edge of the road for an unknown reason and hit a pedestrian on the south shoulder. The Volvo then rolled over on the shoulder.
The pedestrian, a 25-year-old woman from Aptos, died at the scene. A passenger in the Volvo was airlifted to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
The CHP says the driver cooperated with the investigation. They do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.
Assistance for Families After A Santa Cruz County Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians can suffer the consequences of careless or distracted driving, but when a life is lost, families also suffer. Those families can suddenly have to worry over the expense of a funeral and burial and emergency response fees before they’ve even had a chance to try to cope with their loss.
After such a tragedy, it’s important that families know their rights as victims. They can protect themselves from immediate expenses and the threat of financial ruin down the road by filing a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver’s insurance policy. This civil lawsuit is designed to provide for all of the expenses that can arise and target a family after an accident.
It’s also meant to consider the loss that will be felt in the future. A spouse, children, and the parents of victims will be without the emotional support loved ones would have provided over their lifetimes. They will also be without the financial support a loved one would have provided family members through his or her job. These factors and more can all be included in a wrongful death claim.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer Serving Santa Cruz
If you or a loved one were the victims of a careless driver, don’t leave the future of your family to chance. Talk to an attorney who has experience defending families during such a difficult period.
Contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Your family should be allowed to grieve such a loss without the added stress and worry over the expenses of a tragic accident that was someone else’s fault. Mr. Gasparian can make sure families get that chance and are protected as they recover.
