Bakersfield, CA — A male pedestrian succumbed to his injuries after being struck by a vehicle at a busy Bakersfield intersection on Saturday night, August 24, 2024, according to KBAK.
The accident occurred around 8:40 PM at the intersection of South Union Avenue and Panama Lane, a heavily trafficked area in the southern part of the city.
Bakersfield Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle. Upon arrival, they found the man lying in the 6500 block of South Union Avenue, suffering from severe injuries. Emergency medical services quickly transported him to a nearby hospital for urgent care.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a white Honda sport utility vehicle had been traveling southbound on South Union Avenue. As it entered the intersection on a green traffic signal, the pedestrian was crossing the street, walking westbound across the southbound lanes, and the Honda collided with him.
The driver of the Honda immediately stopped and remained at the scene, fully cooperating with the authorities as they began their investigation. Bakersfield police noted that neither excessive speed nor impairment appeared to be factors in the crash.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the man’s injuries proved too severe, and he passed away the following day. Bakersfield police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and no further details have been released at this time.
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.
If the at-fault driver evades legal consequences, compensation might still be accessible through a family member’s uninsured driver coverage. Seeking advice from a personal injury attorney can help ascertain the most suitable options in such circumstances.
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.
