At this time, there is not any solid evidence to show that the elderly woman was driving wrecklessly or above the speed limit.  There residents in this location said that the HWY 116 is a problem area for speeders on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, there have been other similar accidents in the exact same area in past years. People also mentioned that there have been many close calls in which people walking were almost hit by speeding vehicles in the same crosswalk where this teenager was hit before her chance to enjoy the Fourth of July festivities.

Sometimes it is difficult to say who is at fault in a pedestrian accident. Many people don’t see the difficulty in determining who is at fault in this particular accident: the girl was crossing in a cross walk, after all. However, police are not as sure that the teenager had the right of way. This particular part of Highway 116 is subject to certain engineering defects in which visibility is often negotiated because of the setting sun in the distance. It is very possible that the elderly woman driving the vehicle was unable to see the young girl until mere moments before hitting her, if she saw her at all.

Although drivers are often at fault for pedestrian accidents, it is all too easy to make the wrong assumption that this is always the case. Many times pedestrians cross streets and highways outside of an established crosswalk. Other times pedestrians cross the street at night wearing dark clothing that makes it almost impossible for drivers to see them until it’s too late. Whatever the case may be, it is important for all parties who have been involved in a pedestrian accident to contact a personal injury attorney. San Francisco Personal injury attorneys can help their clients clearly determine who is at fault for any particular pedestrian accident. Once they have helped their clients determine the person at fault, they help victims receive the compensation to which they are entitled following the accident.  Also, if you are injured in Los Angeles, consider hiring Los Angeles personal injury attorneys to help you recover lost money from your Los Angeles accident or injury.