No one expects to become an accident victim while walking in a well-lit designated crosswalk. An employee of St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Louisiana was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck recently. Police caution pedestrians that even at low speeds, serious personal injury can occur from impact with a vehicle.
Investigations revealed that an employee was leaving a hospital parking lot in her vehicle. The woman turned left after stopping at a stop sign and subsequently collided with the victim who was walking in the crosswalk. The driver claims she did not see the pedestrian crossing the street. The Acadian Ambulance Service transported the victim to the hospital’s emergency department after receiving aid at the accident site.
As part of police department protocol, the driver was given a Breathalyzer test at the scene. The test ultimately showed no traces of alcohol in her system. She was subsequently cited for failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The Covington Police Chief said that even slow-moving vehicles could cause serious injury to a pedestrian, and drivers should pay particular attention at crosswalks.
The effects of a serious personal injury accident can be devastating. Mounting medical bills, lost wages and the physical and emotional struggle can be overwhelming. In Louisiana, victims of an accident such as this may benefit from a consultation with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can examine the evidence and determine what approach to take to pursue a fair settlement regarding monetary damages incurred.
Source: nola.com, “Pedestrian seriously injured in Covington crosswalk accident“, Kim Chatelain, Feb. 6, 2018