A 34-year-old male pedestrian was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle in Watsonville on Sunday night, December 3, 2023.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at around 10:40 p.m. on Airport Boulevard near Green Valley Road.
The 34-year-old Freedom resident was crossing Airport Boulevard when he was struck by a gray Toyota RAV4 driven by 29-year-old Alvaro L. from Watsonville.
Officials said the pedestrian was transported to Natividad Medical Center with major injuries. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending an investigation to determine what caused the crash.
No further details were immediately available.
Notable Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Santa Cruz County
In Watsonville, pedestrians share the same right to safety as drivers and motorcyclists. You could be entitled to financial compensation if a driver’s negligence caused you and your loved one injury or wrongful death as a pedestrian.
Seek the legal advice of our notable Santa Cruz County pedestrian accident lawyers at Arash Law, supervised by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., who will assist you in filing a claim and obtaining the maximum compensation for your deceased loved one. Our clients have been awarded compensation totaling over $750 Million.
Contact us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form to set up a free consultation with one of our lawyers.
9 Steps to Take Immediately After A Pedestrian Accident in Watsonville
It is tough to think clearly after being hit by a vehicle, let alone if you are injured. But what you say and do at the crash scene can significantly affect the outcome of a subsequent claim you file against the at-fault party. These tips may help you avoid doing something that could reduce the value of your personal injury claim:
- Call the police as soon as the accident occurs and ensure an officer creates an accident report.
- Take photos of your injuries, the scene of the accident, property damage, the weather conditions, the road conditions, and the vehicle that hit you.
- Take pictures of the at-fault driver’s license, insurance card, and license plate.
- Get the names and contact information of all eyewitnesses or anyone who may have seen anything.
- See a doctor or other healthcare professional immediately, and tell them about every affected part of your body.
- Keep a journal about your injuries and the recovery process, detailing how you feel, the treatment you receive, and what costs you pay.
- Do not speak to the insurance adjuster or accept a settlement offer until you talk to an experienced lawyer.
- Stay off social media and avoid posting about being in an accident or the circumstances of your accident.
- Contact California pedestrian accident lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, hit-and-run accidents caused 24% of pedestrian fatalities in 2020. Deaths from pedestrians increased by 46.2% between 2011 and 2020, while deaths from other traffic increased by 14.4%.
The number of pedestrian deaths between 2019 and 2020 has increased by 3.9%, in spite of the fact that there have been 13.2% fewer vehicles on the roads during that same period.
In 2021, 7,388 pedestrians and 961 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes, while approximately 60,000 pedestrians and 41,000 bicyclists were injured. Bicyclists were responsible for 2% of crash fatalities, and pedestrians were responsible for 17%.