A woman who was walking across the street in a crosswalk was struck and seriously injured in a Los Angeles car accident on November 3, 2009, the Pasadena Star News reports. The woman was walking across Barranca Avenue at Italia Street when a 2000 Ford Mustang driven by a 23-year-old Covina woman hit her. The female pedestrian survived surgery, but is still said to be in serious condition. The driver remained at the scene after the accident and was not cited or arrested. An investigation is ongoing.

I sympathize with this woman who apparently suffered major injuries in this pedestrian accident. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. She will be in my prayers.

California Car Accident Laws

If this news report is accurate, it seems to me that the driver did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk. Under California law, motorists are required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21950: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."

Liability Issues in Car Accidents

I trust police traffic investigators are looking into what caused this pedestrian accident. Were there any distractions (cell phone use, texting) involved? Police have already said drugs or alcohol was not a factor in this crash. Did this accident occur because of a dangerous condition on the roadway? These are some of the questions that need to be answered here. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to this accident, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. If the driver was at fault, then she could be held liable for the woman's injuries.

In such cases, victims could seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, long term care or other expenses related to the accident. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to advise the victim and her family about their legal rights and options.

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.

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