Mauricio Vigo, 9, sustained fatal injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after a vehicle struck him at a street intersection, as he was riding his scooter. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Mauricio was riding a scooter downhill turning from Wesleyan Avenue to Temple Avenue, in Walnut, the afternoon of February 7, 2010, when he collided with a 2008 Mercedes Benz SUV driven by a 49-year-old man. The boy was airlifted to an area hospital where he died from his injuries. The driver has not been cited or arrested pending a police investigation.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Mauricio Vigo, especially his parents for whom this must be a devastating blow. Please keep this child's family and friends in your prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and four injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Walnut. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 712 lives and injured 56,475 people during the same year.

What Caused the Fatal Accident?

This news report leaves several questions unanswered. Where exactly was the boy riding his scooter at the time. Was he at an intersection? Was he in a crosswalk? Did the boy ride his scooter into the path of the vehicle? Did the driver of the Benz have sufficient time to stop before the collision? If the driver of the Mercedes is determined to have been at fault for the fatal accident, then he could be held liable in this case.

Liability Issues

In many cases, the at-fault driver's insurance may not be enough to cover the full extent of the damages. In such cases, it is important to look into other responsible parties and other applicable insurance coverage. For example, was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this fatal accident? If so, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

If the at-fault driver was on-the-job at the time of the accident, his employer may have financial responsibility as well. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to look at this incident from all angles and secure the best possible compensation to aid the family during these distressing times. In such cases, a wrongful death claim will help cover funeral expenses and other related damages.

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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