[08-25-2023] Fresno County, CA – 59-Year-Old Male Wheelchair User Killed Following Car Collision on Blackstone Avenue

A 59-year-old male wheelchair user was killed after a car collision in Fresno on Friday night, August 25, 2023.

According to the Fresno Police Department, the incident occurred in an area near Blackstone and Herndon Avenues at around 10:20 p.m.

Authorities stated that the 59-year-old unhoused wheelchair user Fred B., Jr., was crossing the avenue from west to east when he used the turn pocket to get into the northbound lanes.

Officials said the man was struck by a car as he was crossing the northbound lanes. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the driver was cooperating with the authorities and no further details released regarding the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the crash are urged to contact the authorities immediately.

Dedicated Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Fresno, CA

The state of California affords equal rights to cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and their occupants. If a negligent driver injured you or killed a loved one, you are entitled to compensation.

Our seasoned legal team will evaluate your case in detail, advise you on the best course of action, and take into account all the factors that may influence the settlement amount.

You can rely on our most trusted Fresno pedestrian accident lawyers at Arash Law, spearheaded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to help you with the insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings.

Our firm has recovered more than $750 Million for California clients. We’re considered one of California’s leading personal injury law firms.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

An accident can make it hard to think clearly. Whether you are the injured party or a family member of a deceased victim, your words and actions at the scene can significantly impact your lawsuit. To maximize the value of your injury claim, consider the following recommendations:

1. Call the police after the accident, and make sure the officer creates an accident report.
2. Document your injuries, the accident scene, property damage, weather conditions, road conditions, and the vehicle that struck you.
3. Take a picture of the driver at fault’s license, insurance card, and license plate.
4. Obtain all eyewitnesses’ names, contact information, or anyone who has seen anything.
5. Visit a doctor or other healthcare professional immediately and inform them of all affected parts of your body.
6. Keep a journal detailing your injuries and recovery. Describe how you feel, the treatment you receive, and the costs you pay.
7. Consult a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance adjuster.
8. Stay off social media. Please don’t post about your accident or its circumstances.
9. Contact a trustworthy pedestrian accident lawyer in California as soon as possible to discuss your case.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal Pedestrian Accident Statistics

It doesn’t matter whether walking is your primary mode of transportation or not, everyone is a pedestrian. Walking is becoming more popular as a mode of transportation. In 2020, pedestrian deaths accounted for 16.8 percent of all crash fatalities, and nearly one-quarter (24.3 percent) of pedestrian fatalities involved a hit-and-run crash.

The number of pedestrian fatalities increased by 46.2% between 2011 and 2020, while other traffic deaths increased only by 14.4%. From 2019 to 2020, pedestrian fatalities increased by 3.9 percent despite a 13.2 percent reduction in driving.

Pedestrian fatalities rose by 5.7 percent from 933 in 2016 to 986 in 2020. The one-year decrease from 2019 was 2.5 percent from 1,011 pedestrian fatalities.

In the 2021 Traffic Safety Survey conducted by UC Berkeley SafeTREC, Californians were asked to think of the times they had been a pedestrian in the past six months and to identify the safety problems they experienced. “Cars going too fast” was noted by 54.5 percent, and “Cars not stopping” was reported by 48.4 percent of respondents. “Distracted Drivers (by cell phones)” was reported by 38.2 percent of respondents.