What was supposed to be a routine run became a devastating incident. Twenty-two recruits for the LA County Sheriff’s Department were struck by a SUV during their morning run in Whittier, CA on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident was reported at approximately 6:30 a.m. near the intersection of Mills Avenue and Telegraph Rod. The authorities confirmed that of the twenty-two recruits that were hit, fourteen suffered minor injuries, four suffered moderate injuries, and five suffered critical injuries.
The victims are LASD recruits attend the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center which is located in the 11500 Block of Colima Road, which is about a mile and a half from the scene of the incident.
According to the authorities, the driver as a twenty-two-year-old male; he was driving the wrong way when the crash occurred. The driver underwent a sobriety test and was taken into custody, although the results of the sobriety test have not been released. The driver also sustained minor injuries in the crash.
A neighbor said that it is common to see recruits jogging in the area in packs wearing high-visibility safety vests.
The incident remains under investigation.
Without a doubt, this is an unfortunate incident. The recruits went out for the same jog that they have likely been on countless times not expecting anything different. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents like the one mentioned above are relatively common. If you or a loved one suffered harm in a pedestrian accident, you should explore the legal options available to you – you could have the right to file a lawsuit.
Possible Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
In the past, we have seen multiple incidents in which drivers purposefully drive into pedestrians with the intention to hurt them. Although the cause of the incident is unclear, it is possible that the incident was intentional. In general, however, these incidents are accidents caused by the negligent actions of drivers.
Some examples of these negligent actions include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding, ignoring traffic signs, ignoring traffic lights, etc.
- Auto defects or road defects that cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle
No matter the cause of the accident, someone could be held accountable for the harm that you or a loved one suffered.
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Common Injuries Resulting from Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can be among the most devastating injuries that can occur. These injuries can be severe. Some examples of these injuries include the following:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Hip injuries
- Knee injuries
- Fractures
- Crushing injuries
- Severed limbs
- Nerve injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Muscle injuries
- Lacerations
- Scrapes and bruises
No matter the specific injuries that you or a loved one suffered in a pedestrian accident, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit. It is important that you find a lawyer who can provide you with absolutely all the information that you need to begin your claim.
Liability for Pedestrian Accidents
Liability for these incidents is based on negligence. All drivers have a duty of care to all others out on roads and sidewalks, including pedestrians. Drivers have the duty to drive safely and follow all traffic laws to prevent incidents. When drivers breach their duty of care (by failing to follow traffic laws, driving recklessly, etc.), then they can directly contribute to incidents. When a pedestrian accident occurs because of a driver’s negligent actions, then the driver could be liable for all resulting harm.
Can the Sheriff’s Department be Liable?
In the accident described above, the victims were all cadets of the Sheriff’s Department. Is it possible for the sheriff’s department to be liable for this incident? If the incident had happened within the premises of STARS Center, then the department could be liable. Could the sheriff’s department be liable under any circumstances? If the department knew that there was a risk of injury but failed to take any action (i.e., did not provide high visibility safety vests, for example), then they could be liable. Ultimately, liability will depend on the details surrounding the incident.
Your Right to Sue and Receive Compensation – and Other Common Questions
If you can prove liability for the harm that you or a member of your family suffered, then you could have grounds to sue the at-fault party. Based on the details surrounding your lawsuit, you could be entitled to receive compensation. Some of the different categories of compensation that could be available for you could include the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal fees
- Wrongful death benefits: these could include compensation for loss of consortium and funeral/burial costs.
For more information about the type and amount of compensation that you could be eligible to receive, do not hesitate to contact the experts here at our firm immediately. Our lawyers are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights and recover the settlement that you are owed.
Our firm is often approached with a number of questions including questions about average case values and the time that claims take to settle. We have answered these questions below.
What is the average value of pedestrian accident cases? The value of these types of cases depends on the specific details surrounding the claim, including the types of injuries suffered, the extent of the injuries (the severity and permanency of the injuries), and the victim’s wage history, for example. These are just some of the factors that can ultimately affect the value of your claim. So, how much can your case be worth? Ultimately, the value of your pedestrian accident claim can range from $150,000 to $750,000. In some cases, case values can reach or even surpass the million-dollar mark.
How long do pedestrian accident claims take to settle? Here at our law firm, we aim to settle these cases in as little as six to eight months; however, this is not always possible. A number of issues can ultimately affect the time that it takes to reach a settlement. For instance, minor issues can delay the settlement process a few months. More moderate issues can delay the settlement process even longer. Even with minor to moderate issues, cases can be settled within twelve to eighteen months. Severe issues can result in the settlement process taking up to twenty-four months. Unfortunately, some cases take much longer to settle. Here at our law firm, we will always aggressively work to secure your settlement within a reasonable length of time.
The Statute of Limitations
All claims are subject to a statute of limitations, or a deadline to sue. The statute of limitations determines the total length of time that claimants have to file their claims. If claimants do not file their claims on time, then they can risk losing their right to sue. What deadline applies to your claim? In the state of California, personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, meaning that claimants only have two years to file their claim. For more information about the total time that you have to pursue your claim, contact the experts here at our law firm today. Our experts are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to file your claim on time.
Contact Us Today
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience handling all sorts of injury claims, including pedestrian accident claims. Here at our law firm, our experts are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to begin or continue your personal injury claim. If you are ready to speak with our attorneys, contact us immediately. We offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our experts are ready to answer all your questions and address all your concerns – providing you with all the guidance that you need to begin or continue your claim. These legal services are available as part of our Zero-Fee guarantee, which ensures that our clients will not be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. We also work on a strict contingency structure; therefore, our clients will not be required to pay legal costs until after winning your claim. If you don’t win, you simply will not be required to pay anything whatsoever.
If you are ready to speak with our lawyers and learn more about your legal options, contact us immediately.
