Pedestrian hit when car strikes his vehicle in California

A man suffered serious injuries after a chain reaction accident caused his own vehicle to hit him while it was parked at the Wrightwood Mini Mart on March 9. The victim reportedly parked his car at a gas pump before exiting the vehicle when a suspected drunk driver hit the vehicle shortly before 6:45 p.m.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 22-year-old man from Phelan was traveling eastbound in a sedan on Highway 2, and the man may have been speeding when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle went airborne before striking the other man's parked car, and the collision caused the victim's car to hit him and pin him against the gas station's concrete pillars.

The Victorville Daily Press reported that the pedestrian suffered serious injuries and went to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, and the sedan driver was held on suspicion of felony DUI. The Victorville CHP Office is investigating the accident, and witnesses thought the driver was going 65 mph in a 35 mph zone. The man was booked into the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, and his bail is set at $100,000.

Accidents involving a vehicle traveling at high speed and a pedestrian usually result in serious injuries for the pedestrian. The recovery process after such an accident might be long and costly, but one could consider seeking restitution via civil action when a negligent driver caused a victim's injuries. This could allow an injured party to recoup finances lost due to medical bills and time off from work. Drunk driving is one example of negligent behavior that might make someone liable for a crash.