A 56-year-old woman who was killed in a Los Angeles car accident while crossing a Covina street has been identified as Annie Tomassacci. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred the afternoon of March 14, 2010, when Tomassacci was walking east across Grandview Avenue at Badillo Street, in a marked crosswalk. She was struck by a Hyundai Sonata travelling south on Grandview and driven by a 22-year-old woman. Police have not yet cited or arrested the driver pending an investigation.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Tomassacci for their tragic and devastating loss. This grieving family will be in my prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

There were no fatalities but 12 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Covina, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, pedestrian accidents claimed 214 lives and injured 4,985 people in 2008.

Crosswalk Laws

California law requires drivers to yield right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking in crosswalks. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”

Liability Issues

I trust officials are looking into why the driver of the Hyundai did not stop and yield right-of-way to the pedestrian at an intersection regulated by a stop sign. If this accident was caused by a dangerous condition at that intersection, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable as well. Any such claim against a California governmental agency must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

In such cases, victims' families would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will make sure that they get fair compensation for their injuries and losses.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons named in this article and their family members.