Three Girls Injured in Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident

According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury collision occurred when the girls, ages 10, 12 and 14, were crossing Civic Center Drive the night of December 3, 2015. At the time, a Honda Civic traveling east on Civic Center Drive struck them.

All three were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Civic remained at the scene. Officials said he may have been driving without a license, but don’t suspect that alcohol, drugs or excessive speed were factors. No citations or arrests were reported. Police say the driver may have been going at 15 to 20 mph at the time. The official investigation is still ongoing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with these three children who were injured in this pedestrian crash. We wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Santa Ana Crash Statistics

There were 12 fatalities and 134 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the city of Santa Ana, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, 52 people died and 784 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.

What Caused This Crash?

Based on this news report, officials do not believe alcohol, drugs or speed were factors. It is also not clear as to whether the girls were crossing in a marked crosswalk and who had the right-of-way at the time. If the girls were legally walking in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, the driver had a legal obligation to stop and yield the right-of-way to these young pedestrians.

California Vehicle Code section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that 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 a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”

Liability Issues

If it is determined that the driver was negligent, then, he could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitative treatment, pain and suffering and economic distress.

A knowledgeable Santa Ana pedestrian accident attorney can also help determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to this collision. If that was the case the city can also be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.