In what was sure to have been one of the scariest moments of many people’s lives, an incident in Fullerton has us questioning exactly what spaces are safe anymore. Earlier in February, police responded to reports of a Toyota Tacoma driving onto a sidewalk and slamming into multiple pedestrians. The scene before police when they arrived was chaotic.
Nine people had been struck by the Tacoma and some were trapped underneath.
“And then I saw at least 50 people or more grab the truck and actually lift the truck off of a body that it had run over,” said Charles Gibbs, a witness to the entire scene.
Police say that ten victims were taken to the hospital for injuries ranging from moderate to life-threatening. They arrested the truck’s driver, Christopher Solis, under suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
At the Compass Law Group, we want to use this story to highlight the dangers pedestrians face daily. If you need a pedestrian accident attorney, please call us today.
Does This Happen Often?
Thankfully, events like the one above do not happen every day. However, pedestrian accidents themselves are all too common. For the latest reporting year in California, there were:
- 867 pedestrian crash fatalities
- 14,215 pedestrian crash injuries
Even though the driver in the story above has only been arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, we know from analyzing many of these accidents that impaired drivers are often to blame. In fact, 27% of all fatal car crash accidents in California were caused by alcohol-impaired drivers during the latest year. They were also the cause of 27,065 injuries state-wide.
What else causes these accidents?
- Distracted drivers were responsible for many accidents
- Speed-related injuries numbered over 90,000
When it comes to driving, there is no way for you to take into account another driver’s negligent and irresponsible behavior. Unfortunately, their actions can cost you.
Medical bills, even from minor injury-causing accidents, can become more than a person living from paycheck-to-paycheck can handle. For major injuries, the medical costs can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If a person needs extended rehabilitation time, they will lose income from time away from work. Many pedestrian crash victims report pain and suffering damages that need psychological treatment.
Will the insurance companies involved recognize all of these expenses?
The Next Steps To Take
There is no doubt that insurance companies are difficult to deal with, but that is the last thing you need when recovering from a pedestrian crash. At the Compass Law Group, our knowledgeable and experienced team will work to secure coverage that you need, including:
- Money for your medical expenses
- Lost income recovery if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages
We will make sure that you are treated fairly throughout this process so you can heal and focus on getting your life back together.
