One person was injured and one man suffered fatal injuries when an 89 year old driver accelerated near the Palomar Medical Center and struck both pedestrians. The individual in a wheelchair was named James Donaldson, aged 63, and he was from Oceanside. He passed away that night from injuries associated with the collision.
He had previously been treated at the hospital for a separate ailment and was being pushed in a wheelchair by his friend when he was hit. Attempts to save his life were unsuccessful.
Pedestrian injuries can be some of the most dangerous out there as it relates to car accidents. This is because the pedestrian, cyclist, or other individual who does not have the protection of a car can easily be thrown from the accident scene. He or she may also suffer extreme and difficult problems such as internal bleeding.
If you have been in a San Diego accident as a pedestrian, it’s a smart idea to get medical attention as soon as possible after the incident. Some issues might not be obvious right after the accident, and having someone check you for more complex problems like traumatic brain injuries can prevent symptoms and conditons from getting worse. This is another reason why you should also obtain the contact and insurance information of the other party involved in the accident, as you might not realized the extent of the injuries until well after the accident has happened.
All of this can be very problematic and the saddest part of all is that pedestrian accidents are usually preventable. Drivers who are not paying proper attention can generate pedestrian accidents all too quickly before it is too late to realize what they have done.
SENIOR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY & FIRM FOUNDER
Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who graduated from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1987. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes how insurance companies work and how they decide how much to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael’s inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents. Learn more about Michael Pines