san francisco pedestrian accident | Northern California Personal Injury Blog

Young Boy Severely Injured After Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Accident in San Francisco

By Kelly Balamuth on August 17, 2011

A nine-year-old boy was severely injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in downtown San Francisco following the Giants vs. Phillies game on August 4.

The boy and his family, on summer vacation in Northern California from Philadelphia, were walking back to their hotel from the AT&T Park when he and his aunt were struck by a Toyota Tundra truck near the intersection of New Montgomery Street and Mission. The boy’s father told KRON-TV: “A car came screeching out of the street, hit one car, careened over into the second car, and that was where my son was.” The boy was taken to a local hospital and treated for life-threatening injuries, while his aunt was treated for a foot injury. As of August 8, a hospital spokesperson listed him in critical condition and has been making slow, incremental health improvements.

The car’s driver, a 21-year-old graduate of Cal State East Bay, fled the scene after the accident, officials said, but was located and apprehended later that evening by police. His blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent proved that he had been drinking. Department of Motor Vehicles data shows the driver held a clean record prior to this incident. He is charged with driving under the influence (DUI), driving with an open container, and a hit-and-run felony. The day following the car accident, he was imprisoned at San Francisco County Jail, and bail was set at $64,100.

Pedestrians are always at risk among motor vehicles. If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in an accident involving recklessness or impaired driving on the driver’s behalf, you may be eligible to pursue damages. Call 1-888-254-1234 for a free consultation with the Northern California pedestrian accident attorneys at Balamuth Harrington.

San Francisco Bus Strikes Pedestrian

By Kelly Balamuth on March 22, 2010

A recent pedestrian accident in San Francisco involving a Golden Gate Transit bus serves as a reminder for motorists of all commercial and private vehicles to be on constant alert for individuals crossing the street. Based on an Oakland Tribune article, a bus hit a female pedestrian in San Francisco’s South of Market District as it was making a left hand turn onto Eighth Street from Howard Street.

At the time of the article’s release, the female pedestrian’s injuries seemed minor, as she was reported to be alert and communicating with emergency personnel. No one else was injured in this San Francisco bus accident, and the bus was not transporting anyone at the time of the incident. Transit agency investigators and police worked to determine precisely where the female pedestrian was when the accident occurred and the bus driver was tested for drugs and alcohol before returning to work.

Unfortunately, pedestrians are susceptible to some of the most devastating injuries that an auto accident is capable of causing. When bus, truck, and even small passenger vehicle motorists fail to follow the rules of the road and exhibit reckless or negligent driving practice, pedestrians may suffer injuries that range from broken bones, lacerations, and bruising to spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and even death. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) preliminary traffic fatality statistics, approximately 33,963 individuals died in auto accident collisions in 2009. Even though this reflects a devastating number of people killed in motor vehicle accidents throughout the United States, this preliminary fatality data displays a drop of about 8.9 percent from 2008 figures, which reported a total of 37,261 auto accident fatalities.

At the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP, our experienced Northern California personal injury attorneys understand that the consequences of negligent driving may go beyond physical injury, and can often leave an injury victim and his or her family having to endure emotional and financial challenges as well. Our skilled injury lawyers assist those negatively affected by auto accidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death incidents. To learn more about how the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP may be able to help you hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, please call 888-254-1234 today for more information.

Source:http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_14678904