Chris Drager, 32, sustained serious injuries in a Ventura car accident the night of November 1, 2009 after he was hit by a pickup truck while crossing a major thoroughfare in Oak View, California. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Drager was trying to get across North Ventura Avenue near Park Avenue when a truck driven by 65-year-old Antonio Bernal struck him. California Highway Patrol officials said Drager was transported to an area hospital for critical head injuries, cuts to his arms, legs and torso. Bernal and his two passengers were not hurt. CHP officials say Drager was not in a crosswalk when he was crossing Ventura Avenue. They also say Bernal was driving within the speed limit of 35 mph. He was not cited or arrested pending an investigation.
I sympathize deeply with Chris Drager who has apparently been seriously injured in this collision. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep Drager in your prayers.
Ventura Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were eight fatalities and 186 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Ventura County. During the same period, 71 people died and 3,993 were injured as a result of car accidents in Ventura County.
Based on this news report, officials are saying that Drager was not in a marked crosswalk at the time of the crash. In cases where victims are walking in a crosswalk or at an intersection, California Vehicle Code states that motorists must yield right-of-way to the pedestrian. In this case, we don't know why Drager was crossing the street at that location. Was there a dangerous condition on that roadway such as lack of signage, crosswalks or traffic lights that may have caused Drager to cross there?
Car Accident Liability Issues
If this accident was caused as a result of a dangerous condition on the roadway, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable for the accident and Drager's critical injuries. Any claim against a governmental agency in California must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
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