Students Hit by SUV in Parking Lot of Sylmar School
According to officials from the Los Angeles Fire Department, five young students suffered injuries last Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle that was driving in a parking lot next to two Sylmar schools. The incident occurred near Triumph Charter Academy and Lakeview Charter High School, located on Glenoaks Boulevard.
Witnesses and first responders reported that an SUV traveling through the parking lot came into contact with a minivan, ultimately brushing up against a group of pedestrians comprised of students. All five of those on foot were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the drivers of the vehicles involved in the crash also received medical treatment for minor injuries, according to news accounts. The incident forced the closure in both directions of Glenoaks Boulevard between Drell and Cobalt Streets so that Fire Department personnel could reach and scene and assess the injuries.
Police indicated that the collision was an apparent accident, and the driver of the SUV stated that the gas pedal became stuck just prior to the event.
Unique dangers faced by pedestrians
The immutable laws of physics as well as the massive weight and size disparities between those on foot and almost every sort of passenger vehicle make it almost impossible for the former to escape serious harm in a collision with the latter. Information from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention indicates that in the U.S. alone, approximately one pedestrian death happens every two hours. 2013 alone witnessed 4,735 pedestrian fatalities, further underscoring the threats posed by cars, trucks and buses to those walking nearby.
Categories of loss suffered by pedestrians struck by vehicles can be extremely severe, resulting in long-term disability and sometimes even death.
The most frequently seen injuries among pedestrians include:
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broken bones
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blood vessel and tissue harm/amputation
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lacerations
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disfiguring scars
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anxiety disorders
Liability considerations in pedestrian crashes
Establishing liability in a pedestrian-involved collision can prove challenging. While pedestrians are by no means absolved of their duty to follow all applicable traffic rules and exercise due care and caution while sharing the streets, drivers must exhibit the same consideration when behind the wheel.
If a driver fails to heed traffic laws, decides to drive while impaired or distracted or acts in some other sort of negligent manner which results in a crash, criminal and civil liability may apply. In such situations, a Los Angeles personal injury attorney may determine that the best course of action is to pursue compensation as well as accountability from the driver and his or her insurance company.
If it is found that the collision was caused by a defective automobile component or an improperly maintained road, a personal injury lawyer will conduct the fact finding and evidence gathering necessary to build a strong case against all responsible parties on the pedestrian’s behalf.
Personal injury lawyers serving Los Angeles
The Los Angeles car accident lawyers of Ellis Law know all too well the substantial harm and mounting losses a pedestrian accident can have on entire families. That is why we are committed to seeking every available dollar of compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, pain, suffering and emotional distress.
If you would like to discuss the facts of your accident and learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit, contact us at 310-641-3335.