4 Students Struck by Car Near Paramount High School
Four unidentified children survived a frightening accident near their school. At around 3 p.m. on March 19, 2018, the four students were struck by a car near the Paramount High School Senior campus. All four victims were taken to local hospitals for medical attention. The Paramount school district is cooperating with the local Sheriff’s Department in the ongoing investigation. The school is also encouraging students and staff to speak with counselors from the County Department of Mental Health, who will be available at the school.
Young driver arrested
It appears that a pickup truck had been traveling in the vicinity of Rosecrans Avenue and Downey Avenue. Investigators believe the 19-year-old driver lost control of the pickup, at which time it veered onto the sidewalk and struck the students. Later that evening, the driver was arrested on suspicion of felony reckless driving.
The driver was identified as Saul Martinez. He had allegedly been speeding in his Chevrolet Silverado pickup, and was allegedly attempting to pass another vehicle when he lost control of the truck. As the truck struck the four students, it also tore down a portion of the fencing around the campus.
The four students were all sophomores and juniors, and all of them were reported in stable condition by Monday night. Most of them sustained various bumps and bruises, and broken bones were also reported. One of the students, a female, required surgery. All of them are expected to recover.
Determining liability in pedestrian accidents
Around the country, thousands of pedestrian deaths and tens of thousands of injuries in pedestrian accidents occur every year. Negligence is a key concept in accident lawsuits. A lawyer working on the case will look for physical evidence and witness statements to determine if the pedestrians and the driver were in compliance with all traffic safety regulations. In many pedestrian accident cases, the driver is found to be at fault, particularly if the driver was speeding or failed to yield right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Determining liability in a car wreck isn’t always easy, even if the case appears to be cut-and-dry at first blush. Since uncollected evidence can be compromised over time, and eyewitness recollections become less clear, it’s imperative for the victims and their families to get in touch with an attorney right away.
By getting in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible, the injured individuals can also avoid the common pitfalls associated with dealing with motor vehicle insurance carriers in the wake of a crash.
Talk to seasoned litigators in Los Angeles
The southern California car accident attorneys at Ellis Injury Law would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the injured students and their families, and our wishes for their speedy recovery. Nothing can turn back time and erase the consequences of a car accident, but pursuing justice in civil courts may help ease the financial burden. If you or a loved one has been injured in the Los Angeles area, contact our office today at 310-300-7777 to request a consultation.
Additional resources:
- Paramount Unified School District, Superintendent’s Message, https://www.paramount.k12.ca.us/apps/spotlightmessages/2361
- NBC Los Angeles, Man Arrested After Four Students Hit by Car Near Paramount High School: Sheriff, https://www.paramount.k12.ca.us/apps/spotlightmessages/2361