Around 6:40 a.m. on Oct. 16, a 26-year-old driver reportedly struck two teenage girls, ages 17 and 16, in a crosswalk at an intersection in Bakersfield. Both girls were crossing the street near their high school, and the driver was allegedly looking in her center console at the time of the accident.

At the time of the report, California Highway Patrol officers stated that one of the victims was in a coma, and the other was in critical condition with a lacerated kidney. Residents in the area said this accident did not surprise them, as they usually see students waiting to use the the crosswalk for a long time while drivers continue to pass.

The California Highway Patrol was unsure of the driver's speed in this case, and they did not believe that drugs, alcohol or cellphone use were factors in the accident. An investigation was ongoing at the time of the report.

Many car accidents result from distracted drivers not paying attention to the road. In many of these cases, people injured may be able to receive compensation from the at-fault driver for damages, including medical bills and pain and suffering. A completed accident report as well as eyewitness testimony could help strengthen a personal injury case.

Accidents involving pedestrians can result in extremely severe injuries due to pedestrians' lack of protection. This can mean more hefty medical bills, which may exceed the limit of the driver's liability insurance coverage. In such cases, the victims may need to recover compensation from both the insurance company and the driver.

Source: KernGoldenEmpire.com, “Two students hit by car, one in coma”, October 16, 2014