Pedestrians are owed extra care from all drivers in Fresno. It’s a legal duty to protect defenseless pedestrians as they travel the city. This care should be shown when someone on foot is in a crosswalk or even crossing the street without a crosswalk.
Unfortunately, careless and reckless drivers can ignore this obligation and put the wellbeing of pedestrians at extreme risk. The choice to get behind the wheel while intoxicated only reduces the chances that drivers will slow down and provide pedestrians with a safe chance to get across a roadway.
The choice to drink and drive causes devastating pedestrian accidents every year in Fresno. These collisions often leave victims with long, difficult, and expensive recoveries ahead.
A DUI Suspect Hits Woman in Fresno Crosswalk
A female pedestrian was hospitalized after she was struck by a motorist suspected being impaired Thursday evening in Fresno. KSEE-TV reports the accident occurred at the intersection of Palm and Olive Avenues on February 10, 2022.
Fresno police say a series of accidents began when the 27-year-old driver of a pickup truck collided with an SUV at Mckinley and Ferger Avenues. The truck driver reportedly left the scene but was followed by the SUV driver.
Officials say the truck’s driver then tried to escape by running a red light at Palm and Olive. It was there that the pickup struck a woman in the crosswalk.
The woman was transported to the hospital with serious injuries but was said to be in stable condition.
The pickup driver continued on to crash into a bus stop and a fence. The driver of the SUV kept the alleged drunk driver at the scene until officers could arrive. Investigators say the pickup driver will be facing a felony DUI charge.
Seeking Support for Pedestrian Victims in Fresno
Pedestrians sent to the ground after getting hit by a car or truck can, understandably, feel very helpless in the moment. They may be dealing with the shock of an impact and the pain of an injury for days and also be unsure of how to ask for financial assistance.
Accident victims and their families are encouraged to file a claim for damages with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This claim intends to secure compensation for the victim’s every hospital bill and medical cost. It should also seek to replace the income the victim loses while missing valuable work time.
In cases involving a drunk driver, a suspect may be facing charges, but this won’t delay the victim’s civil claim for damages. The victim may file a claim right away. It will be resolved separately from criminal proceedings.
Contact a Fresno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were trying to cross a street when a vehicle struck you, talk to a Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorney about your injuries. All victims receive a free consultation with Maison Law of Fresno. They should take this opportunity to tell a real, local lawyer what happened. A lawyer can inform them of their rights and help them estimate what their injury and care may be worth.
