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Simi Valley Crossing Guard Hit BY SUV

A local crossing guard was hit by an SUV while standing in a crosswalk outside Madera Elementary School in a Simi Valley pedestrian accident. Just moments before the crossing guard was hit, a female pedestrian had been crossing the street. The 57-year-old crossing guard, Bob Belanger, pushed the woman out of the way to safety, taking the hit from the vehicle himself.

FOX40 reported that Mr. Belanger has been working as a crossing guard for the past three years. The accident happened around 7:30 a.m., so there were many parents dropping their kids off at school. Police responded to the incident and closed the roads around the school. Because the driver of the SUV stopped at the scene, police are not treating this incident as a hit-and-run accident.

It does not appear the driver, who was also in his 50s, was intoxicated at the time of the collision, but police are still investigating the cause. Mr. Belanger was rushed to the hospital with possible life-threatening injuries. The woman pushed out of the way was not injured thanks to Mr. Belanger’s heroic act. We wish Mr. Belanger a speedy recovery.

Officers will continue their investigation into why the driver of the vehicle failed to stop. If it is shown that the driver of the SUV that hit Mr. Belanger was negligently driving or intentionally carelessly driving in some way, Mr. Belanger can bring a Simi Valley personal injury claim against the driver. Possible reasons for negligent driving include operating a cell phone or texting while driving, speeding (especially dangerous in a known school zone), driving while drowsy, or driving while intoxicated. A personal injury claim would be made against the driver, but if the driver has insurance, the insurance company will have to pay any judgment awarded to Mr. Belanger.

Pedestrian accidents can be especially catastrophic and cause all types of injuries including serious back and neck injuries and often broken bones. As a result, medical attention is almost always necessary, and the pedestrian usually faces a long recovery, like in Mr. Belanger’s case. The financial recovery received by making a personal injury claim can help the injured person pay for: medical bills incurred from ambulance rides and hospital stays, recovery expenses such as physical therapy, and can even cover loss of earnings while the injured person is unable to work. This financial recovery can be a source of comfort to the victim and their family as they face a long physical recovery.

Anyone injured in a pedestrian accident or car accident in Simi Valley or the greater Los Angeles area should speak with a skilled personal injury attorney. With over 30 years of experience, the attorneys at Walch Law are here to help you get the compensation you deserve that can be used to cover the expensive medical costs often associated with these types of accidents. We can take a look at your case during a free consultation and help you understand how to move forward. Contact our office through our online form or by phone at 866-465-8792.

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