A 32-year-old man who was seriously injured in a car accident in Ventura as he was crossing North Ventura Avenue in Oak View, California, has been identified as Chris Drager, reports the Ventura County Star. The car-pedestrian crash happened the night of November 1, 2009 when old Antonio Bernal, 65, driving a pickup truck struck Drager who was attempting to walk across at the street intersection of Park and Ventura avenues. Drager sustained major injuries, including head injuries and multiple cuts to his body. Bernal was not hurt in the accident. According to California Highway Patrol officials, Drager was not in a crosswalk at the time of the collision. Bernal has not been cited or arrested and officials say he was not speeding. An investigation is pending.

My heart goes out to this pedestrian accident victim, Chris Drager, who seems to have suffered some terrible injuries. I sincerely hope they are not catastrophic and wish him a fast and full recovery.

California Laws Regarding Pedestrians

California Laws have specific requirements of motorists approaching an intersection or crosswalk. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "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."

It is not clear based on this news report, exactly how or why this car accident occurred. Why did the driver of the truck not see Drager crossing? Was he in any way distracted or negligent? Was there an unsafe condition on this road that led to the crash and the victim's injuries? Was there inadequate lighting on this major roadway? The report says Drager was not in a marked crosswalk when he was hit. But we know the location of the Ventura personal injury accident was at a street intersection? It is important here to find out why Drager was not in a crosswalk. If I were a member of the Drager family, I'd want to know if his injuries were the result of the negligent actions of some one else.

Consulting A California Personal Injury Attorney

It is always in the best interests of car accident victims and their families to consult with a truly reputed California personal injury lawyer, who will better explain the legal rights and options available to them. A skilled car accident lawyer will help determine if an unsafe condition on that Oak View road caused or contributed to Drager's injuries. If that was the case, then the agency responsible for maintaining that roadway may also be held liable. Any claim against a governmental agency in California must be properly filed within 180 days 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.

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