[09-22-2023] Santa Barbara County, CA – Pedestrian Died Following Vehicle Crash on Highway 101

An unidentified pedestrian died after being hit by a vehicle in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, on Friday night, September 22, 2023.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reported that the victim was struck on northbound Highway 101 just south of Cat Canyon Road around 11:25 p.m.

Authorities reported that the victim had been pronounced dead at the scene. There was no further information provided about the driver at this time.

Additional details regarding the incident are not readily available while the investigations by the California Highway Patrol are underway.

Award-Winning Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Santa Barbara County

You or a loved one may be entitled to compensation if another driver’s negligence has injured or killed a family member. You should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who has handled similar cases in your area.

As part of our commitment to your well-being, we provide free initial consultations to all of our clients. If you may be entitled to compensation, we will analyze the details of the incident, explain the legal process involved, and consider any major concerns that may impact your eligibility.

Obtain legal advice from our award-winning Santa Barbara County pedestrian accident attorneys from Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. Our firm has successfully recovered over $500 million for California clients. Our reputation for competent and strong legal advocacy has earned us recognition as California’s leading personal injury law firm.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

9 Steps to Take After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident

No one can predict a pedestrian accident, but you can prepare for one. Having a pedestrian accident checklist in your glove box can help you stay calm and organized after a car crash. It can tell you what to do, what not to do, and how best to protect your rights.

When in doubt, give us a call. Keep our phone number, (888) 488-1391, in your phone or written down in case the worst occurs. You aren’t alone after a serious collision. Whether you are the injured victim or the family of a deceased loved one, here’s what to do after a pedestrian accident:

1. Notify the police immediately after the accident and ensure an accident report is prepared.
2. Take pictures of the injuries, the accident scene, property damage, weather conditions, road conditions, and the vehicle that hit you or a loved one.
3. Obtain a picture of the license plate and the insurance card of the at-fault driver.
4. Identify anyone who may have seen the incident, and get their contact information.
5. Contact your doctor or other healthcare professional immediately if any body part is affected.
6. Describe your injuries, any treatment you receive, and the costs you incurred.
7. Consult an experienced lawyer before contacting the insurance adjuster or accepting a settlement offer.
8. Do not post anything about the accident on social media or about the circumstances of the accident.
9. Discuss the case with one of our award-winning California pedestrian accident lawyers as soon as possible.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal Pedestrian Accident Statistics

It has been reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that large vehicles are more likely to have accidents while turning and that the victims of those accidents are also likely to suffer more severe injuries.

Trucks are 269.6% more likely to cause fatal left-turn collisions than passenger cars. There is a 172% increase in accidents involving minivans and big vans, and a 93.6% increase in accidents involving pickups and SUVs. Right turns by trucks and SUVs are more likely to result in fatal accidents, with fatal accident probabilities increasing by 88.6% and 63.4%, respectively.

In 2020, Santa Barbara County had 2022 total fatalities and injuries, based on the OTS ranking by the California Office of Traffic Safety. The number of pedestrian deaths or injuries attributed to pedestrians 65 or older accounted for 15, while pedestrians over 15 accounted for 7.  These statistics suggest that older pedestrians are more likely to be involved in fatal or injurious accidents than younger pedestrians, likely because of their slower reaction time and diminished mobility.