Fatal pedestrian accident on South King St near Union Cemetery in Bakersfield

Bakersfield, Calif. – A pedestrian was struck and killed by a pickup truck near Union Cemetery in east Bakersfield on Wednesday evening, October 16, 2024, according to KGET.

The accident occurred in the 900 block of South King Street around 7:30 p.m.

Investigators said the man was walking in the roadway outside a crosswalk when he was struck by a green pickup truck traveling south. The driver of the pickup truck remained on scene and cooperated with authorities.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. According to local reports, this is the 42nd pedestrian fatality in Kern County in 2024.

Police confirmed that neither speed nor impairment appeared to be a factor in the collision. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Pedestrian deaths and wrongful death claims

Drivers have a special “duty of care” towards pedestrians, who are particularly at risk in traffic accidents. That responsibility includes being alert for pedestrians near the roadway and staying with the victim in the event of a fatal collision, alerting emergency responders and cooperating with authorities investigating the accident.

For those who have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, filing a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of an experienced attorney can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, and other related damages.

If the at-fault driver avoids legal consequences, compensation may still be possible through a family member’s uninsured driver insurance policy. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help determine the best options in such cases.

Partial liability for pedestrian accidents

Under California law, pedestrians do not have the right of way in all circumstances, such as attempting to cross outside a crosswalk. However, drivers are never freed from the expectation of fulfilling a duty of care to pedestrians to ensure their safety.

It can therefore be concluded that a motorist is only partially liable in a pedestrian accident. In this case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their level of liability.