Oildale, CA — On the evening of July 12, 2024, a pedestrian now identified as 34-year-old Bakersfield man Michael Dominick Long was struck and killed in Oildale, according to KBAK.
According to the preliminary investigations, Long was walking in the westbound lane of Universe Avenue around 9:35 PM, when an unidentified vehicle approached Long at an unknown speed. The vehicle struck Long and left the scene without stopping.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, Long had already succumbed to his injuries. It is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were factors in this collision. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help identify the driver involved in the hit-and-run.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Motorists bear an added responsibility, known as the “Duty of Care,” towards pedestrians due to their heightened vulnerability in car accidents, often leading to pedestrian fatalities.
For those who have lost someone in a vehicular fatality, a Wrongful Death claim, made with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, can provide compensation to alleviate the financial strain of laying their loved one to rest.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is held only partially liable in a pedestrian accident. If that is the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.
