Merced, CA - Pedestrian Suffers Major Injuries in Collision on SR 99

Merced, CA (August 2, 2025) – A person suffered major injuries Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle on northbound State Route 99 near the Atwater-Merced Expressway offramp, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The incident was reported around 7:43 a.m. Emergency crews, including CHP officers and medical responders, arrived at the scene within minutes. By 7:54 a.m., the crash was classified as a major injury collision, and the individual was transported for emergency medical treatment. Their current condition has not been released. However, no further details were released at this time, and an investigation is still ongoing.

Our thoughts are with the injured pedestrian and their family members.

Pedestrian Accidents in California

California consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for pedestrians, with thousands of people injured every year in preventable accidents. Whether walking through dense intersections or along the edge of busy roadways, pedestrians face constant threats from traffic that often prioritizes speed over safety. Contributing factors include distracted driving, wide multi-lane roads, and outdated urban infrastructure—all of which make navigating the state on foot a serious hazard.

To understand why walking in California can be so dangerous, consider several often-overlooked risk factors:

• Distracted Driving: Commercial districts and shopping areas attract large volumes of both cars and foot traffic. Drivers scanning for signs, storefronts, or parking spots frequently overlook pedestrians in crosswalks or stepping off curbs.

• Insufficient Stopping Distance: Even at moderate speeds, vehicles need far more space to stop than many assume. A car traveling at 35 mph requires more than 100 feet to come to a complete stop—leaving little room for error if someone suddenly enters the roadway.

• Poor Road Design: Arterial roads with multiple lanes often lack safe, well-marked crossing points. Without frequent crosswalks, pedestrians may be forced to cross at dangerous mid-block locations, while drivers remain focused on other vehicles rather than foot traffic.

• Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way: Many drivers either miss faded crosswalk markings or misunderstand pedestrian priority laws, leading to preventable and often severe collisions.

• Outdated Infrastructure: Older neighborhoods and city centers still operate with pedestrian-unfriendly designs—featuring short signal times, worn crosswalks, missing curb ramps, and minimal protective features for those on foot.

If you or someone close to you has been hit by a vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering. Navigating the aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. A knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney can protect your rights, gather crucial evidence, and advocate for the financial recovery you deserve.

At Countrywide Trial Lawyers, our Los Angeles-based team is committed to representing injured pedestrians across California. Founding attorney Shawn S. Rokni brings valuable insight from his years working with insurance companies—an advantage he now uses to advocate for accident victims. Our pedestrian accident lawyers understand the tactics insurers use to undervalue claims, and we push back to pursue full and fair compensation.

We offer free consultations, charge no upfront fees, and won’t settle for less than you deserve. Call us today at 844-844-9119 to speak with a member of our team. At Countrywide Trial Lawyers, we’re ready to fight for you—every step of the way.