Santos Martinez tragically killed in Culver City pedestrian accident

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

This tragic accident underscores the dangers that pedestrians face every day in this country.

California recorded 1,158 pedestrian fatalities in 2022, representing 26% of all motor vehicle deaths in the state—higher than the national average of 18%, according to UC Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center analysis of federal data.

Pedestrian deaths in California decreased by 1.8% between 2021 and 2022, but have increased dramatically over the long term—rising 77.3% between 2012 and 2022, according to SafeTREC’s analysis of Fatality Analysis Reporting System data. This translates to an average of 21 pedestrians killed daily.

“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. All of 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 Bond. The family of Santos Martinez 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,” she added.

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,” Bond noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”