Los Angeles Women Killed in Traffic Accident on PCH demonstrates dangers
A women, from Los Angeles was killed in a traffic accident on Pacific Coast Highway, near the Santa Monica Pier on September 24, 2007. The collision and circumstances of her tragic death demonstrates the dangers, not only of being in an accident, but of being stuck and disabled on a busy freeway or highway.
The Los Angles Times reported that the women was initially involved in a minor traffic accident. Her car was disabled and she was stuck on Pacific Coast Highway. She got out of her car to wait for help, when she was struck and killed by another vehicle traveling in opposing lanes. When reading this you cant help but feel sadness and sorrow for this innocent women and her family.
This tragedy shows how dangerous our streets and highways can be. The California Highway Patrol’s 2006 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions states that in 2006 there were 4,197 people killed in traffic accident in the State of California, with death on our state highways every 1.27 miles.
Not every accident will be fatal. However it is important for your own protection to take steps to protect yourself. First, without saying wear a seatbelt. Wear your seatbelt even if you are not moving. If you are sitting in a parked or disabled car along a road or highway you still need to have your seatbelt on. Second, as sadly demonstrated in this accident, if you are in an accident, try to move your vehicle to the side of the road, and if not possible, stay inside with your seatbelt on and the engine off. Stay there until police and emergency workers can properly secure the scene.
Who would be at fault for this women’s death. From a legal analysis - there would be at least two primary parties responsible. First, the person who caused the initial impact that disabled her vehicle. Without this factor, this women would have never been in a position to be struck a second time. Second, the driver of the vehicle that hit her head on. In addition the drivers of the vehicles involved, it would be important to consider any dangerous condition of the road way, and if that contributed to the collision.
We recently settled a case against Cal Trans by proving that a straight highway was a dangerous condition because it did not contain cross median barriers. Out client was severely injured when his vehicle veered into on coming traffic. We established that this particular highway (State Route 126) had a long history of similar accidents resulting in countless injuries and needless deaths. Ultimately not only did Cal Trans agree to pay our client 3 million dollars, they are taking steps to install the barriers that would have prevented our clients injuries.
To learn more about our law firm or discuss a specific case. Please feel free to contact us at anytime. You can be assured that your contact will be taken seriously by an attorney. That we will answer your questions and address all of your concerns. There is no charge to ask questions. And no case or concern is to small or to big.
