Elderly San Francisco Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Crane Truck

By Kelly Balamuth on March 30, 2011

A 71-year-old woman was struck and killed by a crane-ferrying truck on the morning of March 18. According to SFGate.com, the woman was in the Second Street crosswalk at Townsend Street in the South of Market neighborhood when a truck, carrying a crane, made a left hand turn onto Second Street and hit the woman as she was crossing. Firefighters rushed the woman to a local hospital, but she died early that afternoon. The truck driver was given drug and alcohol tests at the scene of the accident and was cooperative, albeit distraught..

Unfortunately, between 4,000 and 5,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the U.S. by motor vehicle accidents. That amounts to 11 deaths in the U.S. each day. Even considering those statistics however, pedestrian injuries and deaths appear to be on the decline. It’s unclear whether this decline is due to pedestrian safety improvements or whether the number of walkers has decreased..

When you are a pedestrian, following some basic safety tips can make travelling on foot safer:1) Be careful at intersections. Drivers frequently fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians when they are turning; 2) Only use crosswalks to cross the street; and 3) If you are walking at night, carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing in order to make yourself more visible to drivers.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident with a truck or other vehicle, you have legal rights. The driver of the automobile may be liable for any financial or emotional losses or other damages resulting from the accident. To learn more about your options, contact the Northern California wrongful death attorneys at Balamuth Harrington at 888-254-1234.