San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

A 53-year-old Imperial Beach was tragically struck and killed by a pickup truck Friday morning in a National City crosswalk, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The accident occurred at about 7:45 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010, at the intersection of D Avenue and East 18th Street. The victim was identified as Maria Trinidad Anguiano Galindo, who was reportedly on her way to work when she was struck at the intersection. The driver was attempting a left turn from southbound D Avenue onto 18th Street. He told police that when he turned eastbound on the green light, the sun was in his eyes and he did not see the woman in the crosswalk before fatally striking Galindo, who died at the scene of the crash.

Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident

The cause of the fatal National City pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the National City Police Department. If news reports are accurate, it sounds as though the driver of the pickup truck likely failed to yield to the right-of-way of Galindo, who was in the crosswalk when she was struck. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 "Right of Way at Crosswalks" (c), "The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian." This section of the vehicle code gives pedestrians using a crosswalk the right-of-way.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While police are continuing their investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from contacting a knowledgeable San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer. An attorney who has handled numerous fatal pedestrian accident wrongful death claims can advise the family of their legal rights and the unique legal issues that may be relevant in a wrongful death claim. If the driver is determined to be responsible for this accident, a skilled lawyer can help the family pursue compensation for their loss in a civil wrongful death claim. Damages available may include funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future earnings, benefits, and financial contributions the victim would have made to her family, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship.