People traveling on foot in Bakersfield can discover that finding a safe path anywhere in the city can be challenging. Highways can extend for a mile or more without a crosswalk and drivers can speed down streets not looking for anyone who may be nearby.
By monitoring pedestrian accident incidents in California it’s clear that these dangers are on the rise across the state. The Sacramento Bee reported on the hazards and found that in the first half of 2019, pedestrian fatalities had already jumped 12% from the year before. That was while the rest of the nation averaged around a 3% increase in pedestrian tragedies.
Pedestrians shouldn’t have to move about Bakersfield at such risk to their wellbeing, but those dangers will continue until safety measures are put in place and drivers are put on notice to use more caution.
Woman Killed in Tragic Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident
A woman lost her life after getting struck by a vehicle in Northwest Bakersfield Thursday evening. KGET-TV reported the accident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. near the intersection of Rosedale Highway and Dean Avenue on February 4, 2021.
The Bakersfield Police said a woman was crossing northbound when she was hit. Officers arrived on the scene to find a mid-40s to mid-50s victim suffering major injuries. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
The driver involved in the accident remained on the scene to cooperate with the investigation. Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved in the collision.
Assistance for Families After a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident
Families who have lost a loved one to a careless driver’s mistake should never then be asked to cover the costs of that accident. Emergency services fees, burial costs, estate settlement, and other expenses can all quickly target close relatives, even during such a difficult period.
The driver to blame and his or her auto insurance provider should be required to cover all of these costs and more after such a tragedy. A driver can be found liable for almost any pedestrian accident, even if the victim was outside of a crosswalk. The dangers to pedestrians anytime they must walk in close proximity to traffic are so extreme that motorists can be often be held at-fault no matter the actions of the person on foot. Drivers should always monitor the lanes for defenseless pedestrians. It’s their legal obligation.
Families can seek help by filing a wrongful death claim against the driver’s insurance coverage. Insurance agents will, unfortunately, then get involved and it’s important to remember that they are not required to inform families of all of their rights after losing a beloved family member in an accident. An attorney working on behalf of the family can sit down with loved ones and go over just what they should request as a part of a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact a Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
Families can be robbed of a loved one by a terrible accident, but those relatives should never have to face financial ruin when a careless driver was to blame.
If a pedestrian accident claimed the life of a loved one, contact attorney Martin Gasparian to make sure your family is protected from the consequences of this tragedy. Mr. Gasparian offers families free, no-obligation consultations over wrongful death cases to make sure they know their rights and the protections available to them. He believes every family should work directly with their lawyer, and only get guidance that’s in their best interest.
