Mary Cox, 84, died December 20, 2009 after she was critically injured in a Ventura car accident last month. Cox was attempting to cross Telegraph Road near Kennedy Avenue the morning of November 25, 2009, when a vehicle driven by 89-year-old Fred Yoder, hit her. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, officials have determined that Yoder was at-fault "for failing to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway." Criminal charges could be filed in this case. Officials say Cox died of pneumonia caused by multiple blunt-force injuries she sustained in the accident.

Based on this news report, officials have already determined that Yoder was at fault here. It is not clear, however, whether he was driving recklessly, speeding or otherwise negligent. It is also not clear whether Mary and Bill Cox were attempting to cross the street in a marked crosswalk.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Mary Cox, especially her husband Bill, who was with her at the time of the crash, but thankfully, was not injured. Neighbors say Cox was also active in the community. Tragic! This grieving family will certainly be in my prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were three deaths and 27 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Ventura in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics. Countywide, eight people died and 186 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year. Also in Ventura County, car accidents claimed 71 lives and injured 3,993 people in 2007.

Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

In such cases, it would be in the victim's or their family's best interests to consult an experienced California personal injury attorney, who will make sure their rights are protected and that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. A skilled car accident attorney will also determine whether there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this tragic accident. If that was the case, the city of Ventura could also be held liable for the accident and Cox's wrongful death. Any such claim against a governmental agency in California, must be filed within six months of the accident or injury.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Bookmark and Share