[06-16-2023] Kings County, CA – 12-Year-Old Child Hospitalized Following Two-Vehicle Collision Along Gale Avenue

A 12-year-old child was hospitalized following a two-vehicle collision along Gale Avenue, Kings County, on Friday evening, June 16, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 7:00 p.m. between Gale Avenue and 28th Avenue, north of Avenal Cutoff Road.

Reports say that the boy was in an off-road vehicle while crossing Gale Avenue when he was struck by a Chevy Truck driver.

The pickup truck driver allegedly hit the brakes but failed to stop in time. The victim is currently being treated at Valley Children’s Hospital after sustaining major injuries.

Authorities reported that an obstruction kept the child and the driver from seeing each other.

The victim’s current condition remains unknown while the driver stayed at the scene as investigations into the collision continue.

Award-winning Car Accident Lawyers in Kings County

If the driver’s negligence results in a fatality or significant injuries, the victim’s family may pursue compensation. You should consult a personal injury lawyer if you sustained injuries in an unintentional car accident.

During this free consultation, a legal team member will evaluate your case, review the following steps, and go over anything that could affect your settlement.

Our award-winning Kings County car accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi Esq., have the recognition and vast experience to advocate for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling $750 million as of yet.

Contact (888) 488-1391 or complete the “Do I Have a Case?” form on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents cannot be predicted, but they may be planned for. To maintain your composure in the event of an accident, have a checklist in your glove compartment. It can guide you on what to do, what to avoid, and how to protect your rights. You can follow these guidelines:

• Remain calm and remain at the scene to ensure safety. You should check yourself for injuries before helping others.
• Stay in a safe location until the authorities arrive. Pull over any vehicles that cannot move to the side of the road. To prevent further collisions, activate your hazard lights.
• Call 911 to report your collision. Call the police unless the collision was minimal, no one was hurt, and no property was damaged. The police can investigate by speaking with prospective witnesses and gathering evidence.
• Exchange information with all parties involved. Document everything, from your injuries to the weather, road conditions, and the vehicle that hit you.
• Do not admit fault to the police. Give the police officer an honest account of events.
• Seek medical attention. Consult a specialist or your primary care physician as soon as possible. Receiving immediate medical care can lessen the severity of injuries.
• Report it to your insurance company. Insurance companies in California have different deadlines for reporting accidents.
• Contact insurance adjusters. You can talk to a claims adjuster but only share the necessary information with them. You should consult a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer or providing a recorded statement to an insurance company.
• Create a file. Gather and file all paperwork related to the incident, such as the police report, medical bills, details about the other driver, and plans for treating any injuries, in a case file.
• Seek immediate legal counsel from an experienced California car accident lawyer.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Two-Vehicle Accident Statistics

Most accidental deaths and injuries in the US are caused by automobile accidents. Annually, car accidents claim the lives of almost two million people and injure ten million more.

According to the National Safety Council, traffic fatalities nationwide increased by 8.3% in 2020. A total of 46,980 deaths caused by motor-vehicle accidents were recorded in 2021.

In 2019, 39,107 people died in car accidents in the United States. By 2020, that number had risen to 42,338.

In 2020, 3,847 people lost their lives in car accidents in California. Approximately 2,260 people were killed in single-vehicle accidents, or 59% of the total toll. About 1,587 (or 41%) of the total fatalities resulted from accidents involving two or more cars.

Two vehicles were involved in most collisions (72% of all collisions, 71% of collisions that caused injuries, and 77% of all injuries). Angle collisions caused the most fatalities and injuries, with roughly 8,000 in 2020.