A settlement has been reached in the death of a 7-month-old who was struck and killed in an intersection on Catalina Boulevard in 2015. The parents were crossing the street with their young baby in a stroller when the father and baby in the stroller were hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Catalina Blvd. and Cannon Street. The parents filed the lawsuit which contends that the intersection is dangerous and these conditions led to the accident that killed their child. The father was hurt in the accident and the baby died the next day.
Dangerous Intersection
The lawsuit states that the intersection where the accident occurred is a dangerous one. Neighbors apparently agree, some of them stating that the intersection is blocked by foliage and that vehicles speed on the road. Since the accident, there have been some improvements made.
Some of the vegetation was cleared to allow for improved visibility. A pedestrian traffic light was added to help people cross the street. Additionally, the lanes were modified to reduce Catalina to a single lane in the area. However, some local residents think that the intersection is still hazardous. It is still difficult to see and there is quite a lot of traffic on the road.
Lawsuit Settlement
The parents filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego as well as the property owners and the Point Loma Woods Property Owners’ Association. The City Council voted to approve the settlement. An agreement was reached with all parties that provides $18 million from the combined parties.
Many lawsuits are settled before they get to court. In this case, there were three litigants who all had to agree to the settlement before it could be approved. When a case is filed, the parties begin a negotiation process. The attorney for the people who filed the lawsuit negotiates with other parties to come to an agreement, as they did in this case.
What to do After an Accident
If you or a loved one is the victim of a serious accident with injuries or fatalities, it is often necessary to take legal action. You may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, medications, physical therapy, lost wages and pain and suffering, among other damages. These expenses can be extremely high and should be paid for by the negligent parties.
While there is nothing that can be done to bring back the young child in this tragic case, the parents have been provided with compensation. In addition, some steps were taken to try to improve the intersection so another tragedy might be prevented. The City of San Diego should further analyze the intersection and nearby areas to ensure that they are safe for both pedestrians and vehicles.
The negligent parties must be held responsible for their role in accidents, especially those that result in serious injuries or fatalities. If you were hurt in a vehicle accident contact the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to discuss your case today.
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