The Norfolk, Virginia (VA), intersection where a girl was hit and injured by a truck on June 5, 2012, has been the site of more than three dozen accidents since the beginning of 2007. According to WAVY-TV 10, the confluence of 38th Street and Killam Avenue, about seven blocks from Old Dominion University, has already had curbside parking, crosswalks and traffic lights upgraded, but city engineers continue to study safety issues.
Safety at Norfolk, VA intersection where a truck hit and injured a young girl is being reassessed.
The television station reported that 11 of 39 vehicle and pedestrian accidents at that location have resulted in injuries. Drivers’ sightlines have been improved by not allowing parking within 50 feet of a corner, but wrecks keep occurring.
As Virginia personal injury attorneys who have helped many crash victims recover compensation from the drivers who collided with them, we know that every intersection, no matter how well designed, is only as safe as the people passing through it. Distracted, drunk, drugged, speeding or reckless drivers can make any safety measure pointless. At the same time, people on foot need to use crosswalks, stay on sidewalks and cross only when they have a green light and enough space between vehicles.
At the time of this writing, police had not charged the truck driver with any violations. Neither alcohol nor drug appeared to play a factor. Still, a child went to the hospital following an accident that likely could have been prevented. We share her friends’ and family members’ hopes for a quick and full recovery.
EJL