[07-26-2022] Sonoma County, CA – 52-Year-Old Pedestrian Seriously Injured After Being Struck by a Big Rig in Petaluma

A 52-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a big rig as it exited Highway 101 in Petaluma on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

The crash happened around 12:20 p.m. at Washington Street.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), he drove left onto Washington, and his trailer crashed into a man seated on the side of the offramp. The vehicle was going south when it entered the left exit lane.

According to the CHP, the driver completely stopped at the scene.

The pedestrian was taken to Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Petaluma police issued a warning to tourists to avoid the area.

The off-ramp was reopened to traffic just before 1 p.m.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

California has become known for its heavy traffic. It is the state with the highest number of fatal car accidents. Still, another transportation concern that people and state officials are now addressing is the safety of pedestrians along California’s congested roadways.

In Sonoma County, 25 people were killed in 23 accidents investigated by the California Highway Patrol in 2015, exceeding the total number of deaths in 2014, when 22 accidents killed 24 people on state-patrolled highways.

According to the Office of Traffic Safety, more pedestrians die in traffic accidents in California than in any other state in the US. Approximately 7,500 pedestrians were killed in accidents in this state, and the rate of pedestrian deaths in California is nearly 25% higher than the national average from 2009 to 2018.

Sonoma County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Pedestrians are very vulnerable to being hit by a vehicle. Most pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers who are careless or don’t pay attention. If a driver is careless or reckless, they can suffer injuries or even cause death.

Pedestrians should be careful when crossing the street and ensure that drivers can see them. Pedestrians should also ensure that drivers have enough time to stop before crossing. Drivers should always be on the lookout for pedestrians and yield if one is crossing the street.

If you are involved in a vehicle accident as a pedestrian, do not hesitate to call legal counsel. Our Sonoma County pedestrian accident lawyers at Arash Law have decades of expertise representing vehicle accident victims in California. Please email or contact us at (888) 488-1391 to book a free consultation.