A female pedestrian suffered serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Sacramento’s South Area on Friday evening, Nov 8. The incident, which occurred near the intersection of 24th Street and 39th Avenue shortly before 6 p.m., highlights the ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety in our community.
According to Sacramento Police, the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The injured pedestrian was promptly transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, though authorities report she is expected to survive.
Understanding Pedestrian Rights in Sacramento
As experienced Sacramento personal injury attorneys, we frequently see cases involving pedestrian accidents at intersections. California law gives pedestrians strong legal protections, including:
- The right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks
- A driver’s duty to exercise due care for pedestrian safety
- Requirements for drivers to yield to pedestrians in most situations
In Sacramento, pedestrian rights extend beyond basic crosswalk laws. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians not only in marked crosswalks but also at unmarked intersections. Importantly, Sacramento pedestrians also have the right to expect drivers to exercise heightened caution in areas with heavy foot traffic, such as near schools, parks, and commercial districts.
Even in cases where a pedestrian may share some responsibility for an accident, California’s comparative negligence laws still allow them to seek compensation for their injuries. This means that even if a pedestrian was crossing outside a marked crosswalk, they may still have legal recourse if a driver failed to take reasonable precautions to avoid the collision.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’re involved in or witness a pedestrian accident, here are crucial steps to follow:
- Call 911 immediately
- Document the scene if it’s safe to do so
- Gather witness information
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney
Documentation in the immediate aftermath of a pedestrian accident is crucial for protecting your legal rights. If you’re physically able, use your smartphone to photograph the entire accident scene, including any traffic signals, crosswalk markings, and visual obstructions like parked cars or overgrown vegetation. Collect insurance and contact information not just from the driver, but also from any witnesses who stopped to help.
Even if you feel your injuries are minor, seek medical attention immediately – many serious injuries, including head trauma and internal injuries, may not show immediate symptoms. Keep a detailed record of all medical visits, treatments, and how your injuries impact your daily life. This documentation can be vital for your insurance claim or legal case, as insurance companies often try to minimize the impact of pedestrian injuries or argue that they developed from pre-existing conditions.
Preventing Future Accidents
This intersection at 24th Street and 39th Avenue, like many in Sacramento, requires vigilance from both drivers and pedestrians. Some key safety reminders:
For Drivers:
- Always scan for pedestrians, especially during evening hours
- Reduce speed in residential areas
- Never drive distracted
For Pedestrians:
- Use marked crosswalks whenever possible
- Wear visible clothing, especially after dark
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
Sacramento’s unique street layout and growing population density create specific safety challenges for pedestrians and drivers alike. High-risk areas include the busy Grid district, where one-way streets can create confusion, and expanding suburban areas where pedestrian infrastructure may still be developing.
Pedestrians should be particularly cautious during Sacramento’s peak accident times – typically during rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) and in low-light conditions during our hot summer evenings. Local data shows that most pedestrian accidents occur when drivers are making left turns, as their attention is divided between oncoming traffic and completing their turn.
Pedestrians can increase their safety by wearing reflective materials during Sacramento’s darker winter months and using pedestrian-activated crossing signals where available. Additionally, being aware of common driver blind spots, particularly around Sacramento’s increasing number of SUVs and delivery vehicles, can help prevent dangerous situations before they develop.
Legal Support for Accident Victims
For pedestrians injured in accidents, understanding your legal rights is crucial. Insurance companies often try to minimise compensation for injury victims. An experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation costs
Understanding the full scope of compensation in pedestrian accident cases is crucial for Sacramento victims. California law provides for multiple categories of damages that many accident victims don’t initially consider. For example, if your injuries affect your ability to perform household duties, you may be entitled to compensation for home care services.
Similarly, if your injuries impact your ability to care for children or elderly family members, these additional expenses can be included in your claim. In catastrophic injury cases, we often work with life-care planning experts to project future medical needs and associated costs, which can be substantial for injuries requiring ongoing rehabilitation or medical equipment.
Professional catastrophic injury settlement calculators are essential for accurately calculating full compensation. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we use sophisticated analysis tools that factor in crucial elements like future medical procedures, rehabilitation costs, home modifications, lifetime care requirements, lost earning capacity, and quality of life impacts.
These professional evaluation methods have helped us secure settlements millions above initial calculator estimates. For severe injuries, professional legal evaluation ensures you understand the true value of your case and receive the full compensation you deserve. Having an experienced legal representation is crucial for securing fair compensation. Talk to an experienced GJEL personal injury attorney for a free legal consultation. Call us at +1 415-986-4777 to talk to the experts.
Moving Forward
“As someone who’s dedicated over 40 years to helping accident victims in Sacramento, I understand how traumatic and overwhelming a pedestrian accident can be. If you or your loved one was injured in this incident at 24th Street and 39th Avenue, please know that you don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. From dealing with mounting medical bills to managing communications with insurance companies, the aftermath of a serious accident can feel overwhelming. Our team at GJEL is here to handle these burdens so you can focus on what’s most important – your recovery. I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation, even if you’re unsure about pursuing legal action. Having helped countless pedestrian accident victims across Sacramento, I can tell you that understanding your rights early on can make a crucial difference in your recovery journey, both physically and financially.” –Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we have extensive experience representing pedestrian accident victims in Sacramento. While we hope you never need our services, our team is here to help if you or a loved one is injured in a pedestrian accident. Remember, California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, so seeking legal counsel promptly after an accident is important.
If you or a loved one was injured in this pedestrian accident, GJEL’s experienced Sacramento legal team is here to help. With over $950 million recovered for our clients and a 99% success rate, we understand what it takes to secure fair compensation for serious injuries. Our consultations are always free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Don’t let insurance companies minimize your injuries or pressure you into a quick settlement. Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys now +1 415-986-4777 at to speak with our team or visit our Concord office for a free case evaluation. We’ll handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery.
Important Sacramento Resources & Contact Information
If you were involved in or witnessed this pedestrian accident, here are important local contacts and resources:
Law Enforcement & Traffic Resources
- Sacramento Police Department
- Emergency: 911
- Non-Emergency: (916) 808-5471
- File an Accident Report: Sacramento Police Department Records
- Address: 5770 Freeport Blvd., Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95822
Traffic Safety & Accident Information
- Sacramento Department of Transportation
- Traffic Operations: (916) 808-5011
- Report Traffic Signal Issues: 311 or (916) 808-5011
- Vision Zero Sacramento – City’s initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities
Request Traffic Records
- Sacramento Police Records Division
- Phone: (916) 808-0620
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Online Request: Records Request Portal
For immediate legal assistance with your pedestrian accident case, contact GJEL’s Sacramento office at 1-866-268-7118.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.