Rohnert Park, CA – NBC Bay Area reports that Rohnert Park first responders were faced with two separate vehicle collisions involving pedestrians and their dogs within just over an hour on a somber Sunday, January 15, 2024.
The first incident unfolded around 7 AM on the eastbound Rohnert Park Expressway near the railroad crossing. Authorities responded to find an adult male pedestrian in cardiac arrest, lying in the number one lane. Tragically, his dog was found lifeless in the roadway. Despite the immediate and concerted efforts of police and medics to save the man’s life, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Preliminary reports from police indicate that the pedestrian and his dog were crossing northbound across Rohnert Park Expressway in challenging conditions—dim lighting and heavy fog—when they were struck. The driver of the involved vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. According to police, the individual was determined not to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In an unrelated collision just over an hour later, at 8:07 AM, the 4000 block of Dowdell Avenue became the scene of another tragic incident. Responding officers found a pedestrian who, fortunately, escaped injury, but his dog was fatally injured in a hit-and-run crash.
The pedestrian and his canine companion were transported to an animal hospital, where the dog ultimately succumbed to its injuries. The dog owner reported that he and his pet were walking on the southbound shoulder when a “lifted” blue Toyota Tundra truck, driven by a thin white male wearing a black hat, struck the dog.
The truck, potentially with damage to its lower front portion, allegedly fled the scene without stopping. Authorities are seeking information about the whereabouts of the truck, which may have headed towards Golf Course Drive or Millbrae Avenue.
Insurance Claims for Pedestrian Car Accident Victims
Drivers are expected to give an extra duty of care to pedestrians because of their greater vulnerability. When a pedestrian is involved in a vehicle collision, the injuries are far more likely to be critical and there is a greater chance of fatality.
Whether or not the driver in a pedestrian collision receives criminal charges, it is possible to file a claim with their insurance provider to receive compensation that can help to cover hospital bills, burial costs, and loss of income due to victims or their families.
However, insurance companies always have it in their interest to minimize or deny claims. That is why the assistance of a skilled personal injury attorney can prove invaluable in ensuring that victims and their families receive just compensation.
