Personal Injury Q and A

Alberto Sandoval, 49, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck by a pickup truck August 21, 2010, City News Service reports. Los Angeles police officials say the fatal crash occurred when Paula Larene Dautremont, a 58-year-old woman, was driving westbound on Foothill Boulevard in Lake View Terrace. Her vehicle hit a parked pickup truck, and then hit the pedestrian, Sandoval. He was fatally injured and Dautremont was hospitalized with injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everybody who knew and loved Alberto Sandoval. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were 104 deaths and 2,716 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Los Angeles, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 people were killed and 4,985 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.

Laws and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not clear at this point how or why this tragic accident occurred. There are several unanswered questions here. Why did Dautremont lose control of her vehicle? Did she suffer a medical condition? Was she under the influence? Was she distracted or speeding at the time? It is also not clear where Sandoval was walking at the time of the collision. Was he attempting to cross the road? Was he walking on the side of the road? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine exactly what occurred here.

If Dautremont is determined to have been at fault, then, she could be held liable for the accident and Sandoval's wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased accident victims can seek compensation to cover funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

A skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway may have caused or contributed to the collision. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.

What are some of the most dangerous roadways for pedestrians in your city or neighborhood?

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.