San Francisco, CA (September 2, 2023) A pedestrian died after 2 diverless Cruise cars blocked an ambulance’s path in San Franscisco, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. The pedestrian was hit by a car in the intersection of Harrison Street and 7th Street and sustained severe injuries.
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The San Francisco Fire Department said they arrived at the scene to find 2 driverless Cruise cars blocking the only open lanes for egress. A spokesperson said that they were unable to leave the scene because the driverless Cruise cars wouldn’t move. This drastically delayed the time it took to get the pedestrian, who was in critical condition, to the hospital. The pedestrian died 20-30 minutes after arriving at the hospital. Had the ambulance been able to leave the scene immediately, the victim would have arrived at the hospital sooner and would have had a better chance of survival.
Firefighters said the pedestrian was bleeding heavily from severe injuries to lower extremities and this is only 1 of nearly a dozen incidents where ambulances and emergency crews have been delayed due to driverless Cruise cars. They believe the delay led to the pedestrian’s death.
Liability In San Francisco Pedestrian Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in pedestrian accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “An estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2017. Per trip, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash.” There are a number of factors that could lead to a pedestrian collision including:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Driver distraction
- Inclement weather
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. The family of any victim that died in a pedestrian collision may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A San Francisco Pedestrian Accident
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian killed in this accident. Any person that may have information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for what happened.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a car accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need assistance after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (844) 966-0965.
