A 19-year-old man was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck by a vehicle the night of June 26, 2010. According to a news report in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred in the 10400 block of Lesterford Avenue. The man, who has not yet been identified, was crossing at Lesterford and Farm Street when a 2003 Nissan Sentra struck him. Anyone who witnessed this accident is asked to contact police at 562-904-2339.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this young man. My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no deaths, but 40 injuries occurred involving pedestrian accidents in Downey. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 people died and 4,985 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.

Crosswalk Law

Based on this news report, it is not entirely clear how or why this pedestrian accident occurred. The report states that the man was crossing at a street intersection, but we do not know whether he was walking in a marked or unmarked 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."

Liability Issues

If the motorist is determined to have been at fault then he could be held liable for the accident and the pedestrian's wrongful death. I trust accident investigators are also looking into whether the driver of the Nissan was impaired, distracted or driving recklessly at the time.

In such cases, families of deceased victims would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway caused or contributed to this crash. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a California public entity must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

What are some tips you would offer to pedestrians for safely using a crosswalk? What can motorists do better to avoid such street intersection collision?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is 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 us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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