Friday's collision at Marquardt Avenue and Imperial Highway
August 16, 2024 | Whittier, CA
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office has identified the pedestrian who tragically lost his life Friday after being hit by a pickup truck in the Whittier area.
The victim, 29-year-old Daniel Cortez, passed away due to blunt trauma, according to the ME's office.
Daniel Cortez lost his life on Friday night as the result of a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident in the Whittier area.
The California Highway Patrol reported that officers were alerted to the incident at around 10:24 p.m. at Marquardt Avenue and Imperial Highway, where they discovered Cortez had been struck by a Toyota Tacoma on Imperial.
Unfortunately, paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash is currently under investigation by the CHP.
PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
This tragic accident underscores the dangers that pedestrians face every day in this country.
According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrian fatalities in the United States has grown substantially faster than all other traffic deaths. An estimated 7,342 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2021, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, a Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. These resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond, an experienced pedestrian attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. The family of Daniel Cortez may be entitled to a wrongful death claim.
“Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident,” said Formica.
Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family through this difficult time while protecting their rights.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth,” Formica noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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Newsline - is your trusted source for legal news and accident reports, delivering timely updates to keep you informed.
Newsline's national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica are experienced in fatal pedestrian accidents, and if you or a family member need help they are available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).