One woman died and another was injured in a Westminster car accident after they were struck by a vehicle the evening of May 20, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the women were crossing on Newland Street outside of a crosswalk, near 15th Street, when an 18-year- old woman driving a Nissan 200 SX hit them. Westminster police say one of the pedestrians died, while the other was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition.


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I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this woman for their profound loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one death and 29 injuries reported in Westminster involving pedestrian accidents. In Orange County, during the same year, 31 people died and 785 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents.

Laws Relating to Pedestrians

This news report indicates that the pedestrians were crossing the street outside of a crosswalk. California law states that motorists should yield right-of-way to pedestrians walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks or at intersections.

Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950: "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." But the same law also states that pedestrians have a responsibility to walk only in designated areas such as sidewalks and crosswalks.

Liability Issues

In this particular case, if the driver was at fault, she could be held liable for the serious injuries caused here. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to the collision, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining this roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any claim against a governmental agency must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. The best Orange County personal injury lawyers will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

What precautions do you take as a pedestrian while crossing the street? Please share your thoughts with us.

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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