Ferial Harb Died In Riverside Car Accident Along Victoria Avenue, Which Many Residents Say Is Dangerous
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (March 29, 2022) – A 73-year-old woman identified as Ferial Harb has tragically died in a car accident while walking along Victoria Avenue in Riverside.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:12 a.m. on January 19 by Lincoln Avenue. Ferial Mohamed Harb was crossing the intersection when she was hit by a GMC Sierra truck.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the woman. Ferial Harb was taken to the hospital in critical condition. But she died two days later on January 21.
The accident took place about half a mile from where a civil engineer and mountain bike coach was killed while jogging in May 2020. Many community members are saying that the intersection is dangerous because drivers don’t have to stop before turning onto Lincoln.
There is no stop sign or even a speed bump at the location. Numerous residents have sent emails or letters to the Riverside City Council letting them know about their concerns.
A full investigation into the accident that killed Ferial Harb remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Riverside Car Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured in car accidents every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in 2017 alone. Another 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments. Per trip, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passengers to be killed in a crash. Elderly pedestrians and small children are at the highest risk of being involved in a collision. There are a number of steps that cities can take in order to help reduce pedestrian collisions.
- Traffic violations that are likely to lead to pedestrian collisions should be heavily enforced.
- Cities should study roads and intersections with a high number of accidents.
- Cities should make sure that pedestrian walkways are clearly illuminated.
Drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.” When a driver fails to exercise due care and hits a pedestrian they can be held at fault through a civil claim. Depending on the specific facts of any case, liability for a pedestrian accident could extend beyond any driver.
A city could potentially be liable for an accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property. According to California Government Code 835, a public entity may be liable for a dangerous condition on their property provided that the dangerous condition was present at the time of the accident. The public entity must have had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition and failed to act nonetheless. The public entity could have also failed to discover the condition even though its existence was obvious.
Consider, for example, the case of Bonanno v. Central Contra Costa Transit Authority. The court affirmed that the location of a bus stop was in a dangerous condition because it required the plaintiff to walk across a busy street at an uncontrolled intersection in order to reach the stop. There are many ways that roads or intersections could potentially be in a dangerous condition. A road may lack stop signs or traffic control devices where they would be reasonably necessary. An intersection may have its line of sight obstructed by overgrown foliage. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any pedestrian accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- It should be determined if there is a history of accidents at the intersection.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a car accident 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. If the victim survived for some period prior to their death, family members may also be able to pursue a survival action claim. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what all of your legal options are.
Investigating A Riverside Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ferial Mohamed Harb. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. Community members have made the Riverside City Council aware of this roadway and how dangerous it can potentially be. It is time for them to study the problem and take measures to help keep pedestrians safe. No family should ever have to suffer through something like this.
Do you need more information about a Riverside car accident involving a dangerous intersection? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that steps are taken to make our roads safer. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
