A pedestrian accident in Yucca Valley caused major injuries to 81-year-old William Allen Hedge, The San Bernardino Sun reports. The injury collision occurred on May 11, 2010 on Balboa Avenue when 36-year-old Kerry Alan Barnes, who was backing out of a driveway, struck Hedge who was walking on the edge of the roadway. Hedge sustained a head injury and laceration to his hand. An investigation is ongoing.

I sympathize with Hedge, who has apparently suffered serious injuries in this crash. I hope he has not sustained any catastrophic injuries and pray that he recovers quickly and completely.

Car Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 66 injuries involving car accidents in Yucca Valley. In San Bernardino County, car accidents claimed 263 lives and injured 8,504 people in 2008.

Fault and Liability

It is not clear in this case how or why this serious injury crash occurred. Was the pedestrian at fault here or the driver? Was the driver impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this accident? Why was Hedge walking on the edge of the road? Was there no sidewalk on that roadway? Or was the sidewalk obstructed for some reason? I trust investigators are exploring these and other questions in order to determine precisely how this accident occurred.

If this accident was Barnes' fault, then he could be held liable for the injuries and damages that resulted. If this accident was caused by a dangerous or defective condition on the roadway, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the accident or injury. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families about how to pursue their legal rights.

Are you aware of any dangerous roadways in your city or neighborhood?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

Bookmark and Share