[06-22-2021] Kern County, CA – One Person Killed After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Bakersfield

A 55-year-old man identified as Humberto Velasquez L. was killed after a fatal pedestrian accident in Bakersfield on Tuesday night, June 22.

The accident transpired at approximately 9:15 p.m. at the intersection of Bernard Street and North Baker Street. The pedestrian was walking in a marked crosswalk when an eastbound 2009 Chevrolet Impala suddenly struck him.

The Chevrolet driver remained at the scene and cooperated with local authorities. Officers said that the accident occurred in a dark area and that the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing at the time of the accident.

The pedestrian sustained serious injuries from the accident. He was rushed to Kern Medical, where he was unfortunately later pronounced dead. Drugs and alcohol were not considered as factors in the accident. An active investigation of the accident is currently underway.

Fatal Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrians are more vulnerable to the dangers of the road compared to passengers of closed vehicles and motorcyclists. It’s because they have no form of protection in case an accident occurs. Pedestrian accidents have been increasingly becoming an issue throughout the United States. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. have increased by 27 percent from 2007-2016, while other traffic-related deaths decreased by 14 percent.

Pedestrians need to exercise extra careful behavior in California. This is a sad fact of living in the Golden State. While the law may require drivers to act a certain way, any Californian who walks anywhere regularly can tell you that most drivers in the state ignore the law.

Nearly 7,500 pedestrians have died in California between 2009 and 2018. California currently leads in pedestrian deaths in 2020 despite the global pandemic. In 2019, 460 pedestrian deaths were recorded, but the number rose to 485 in the first six months of 2020.

Kern County Wrongful Death Attorney for Victims of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents

According to California law, you must file a pedestrian accident lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. If you miss the deadline, you are precluded from ever pursuing a lawsuit to recover compensation for the injuries you sustained in a pedestrian accident. You will be precluded from seeking compensation in a lawsuit even if your injuries are severe.

This is why it is essential to file a wrongful death claim as soon as possible. The victim’s family may seek the assistance of an experienced attorney when filing for a claim. With the wrongful death claim, the victims can seek financial compensation for damages like loss of income, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Our lawyers from Arash Law are available 24/7 to help. A pedestrian accident lawyer from Arash Law will help you stay one step ahead of the insurance company or responsible party and avoid mistakes that jeopardize your claim. Don’t delay, and contact our firm today at (888) 488-1391 for a FREE Consultation with a wrongful death attorney.