California Car Accident Reports

Carlos Gomez-Nila, 35, was killed in an Orange County car accident after he was struck by two vehicles while crossing the street. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Gomez-Nila was walking on Western Avenue near Tyler Avenue in Anaheim the night of November 22, 2009 when a Toyota Camry going north struck him. He apparently got up and tried to walk, but was then fatally hit by a Toyota RAV4 heading south on Western, Anaheim police said. Officials said the driver of the RAV4 saw the pedestrian and tried to swerve out of the way but failed to do so. Gomez-Nila died at the scene.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Carlos Gomez-Nila for their devastating loss. My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

Orange County Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were six fatalities and 63 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Anaheim, California, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, 41 deaths and 726 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007. Also, in Orange County, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries occurred in 2007 as a result of car accidents.

Based on this news report, it's not clear whether the fatally injured pedestrian, Carlos Gomez-Nila, was in a crosswalk or at an intersection. If that was the case, then the motorists should have stopped and yielded right-of-way to him.

How or Why did this Accident Happen?

In the event the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk at the time of the accident, I would look into how fast the motorists were going at the time of the collision. What is the speed limit on that roadway? Should the driver of the Toyota RAV4 have been able to stop before striking Carlos-Nila who was down? Was there a dangerous condition on that Anaheim roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this deadly car accident?

These are some of the important questions that need to be asked in this case. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused this fatal collision, the city of Anaheim could be held liable for Carlos-Nila's fatal injuries. Any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within six months of the accident or injury. If this collision was the driver's fault, then he or she could be held liable for the pedestrian's death. Experienced personal injury lawyers will be able to guide and advise the victim's family about their legal rights and options in this case.

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.