A pedestrian died last month in West Sacramento after being hit by a truck. It was the city’s first traffic fatality of the year.
The accident happened on Tuesday, May 30, around 10:30 p.m. on West Capital Avenue. Events unfolded when two westbound vehicles, a truck and a car, collided. The impact of the collision caused the truck to careen into a bus stop, striking a woman waiting there.
A sergeant with the West Sacramento Police Department said that the unidentified pedestrian died at the accident scene.
The person driving the car suffered minor injuries and was taken from the scene to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the truck, a 23-year-old West Sacramento resident, was charged with driving under suspension and suspicion of driving under the influence (felony).
Any time a vehicle hits a pedestrian, the individual who gets hit is at risk of suffering serious or even fatal injuries. The sheer disparity of the pedestrian’s weight and size compared to a vehicle makes the odds decidedly not in his or her favor.
Even when those who get hit escape with their lives, recovery from the injuries they suffer can be a long and grueling process. Multiple surgeries are commonly needed to repair extensive damage, followed by intense, painful rehab.
Many suffer permanent damage, meaning that they may not be able to return to work in the capacity they formerly managed, if at all. With all the medical bills pedestrians face after an accident, this can be devastating.
But pedestrians are not without legal recourse after being injured in an accident. A California personal injury attorney may be able to provide guidance and advice on the options that are available.
Source: The Sacramento Bee, “First fatal crash of year in West Sacramento claims life of pedestrian,” Bill Lindelof, May 31, 2017
