SAN DIEGO -- A San Diego man struck by a trolley two years ago told 10News' Michael Chen he believes the same thing could easily happen to others.

In a split second, David Gladden's life changed dramatically. "I feel angry," he told 10News.

Gladden suffers from Friedreich's ataxia, a neurological disorder. In 2007, though in a motorized wheelchair, he was active and living on his own. His speech was only slightly slurred.

"I remember heading back to the trolley, and that's the last thing I remember," said Gladden.

That day in April 2007, witnesses said Gladden, a frequent trolley passenger, rode onto the platform at the Mission Valley Center station. The platform did not have any bells or lights to warn of incoming trolleys.

Gladden's lawyers said there were two signs on a nearby fence, but his view was obstructed by electrical boxes and other signs. Gladden would have, as he always did, gone down a ramp, edged out onto the tracks to see if a trolley was coming.

Witnesses said Gladden tried to turn back and nearly made it back to the ramp, before being clipped by the trolley. He suffered a broken leg and brain damage, and his speech also suffered. Gladden now lives in a convalescent home, his every action requiring help.

"I woke up in the hospital. I didn't know what was going on, totally confused," said Gladden.

Gladden's lawyers blame an obstructed view and lack of warning signals for the incident.

"The same thing might happen to somebody else," Gladden said.

The civil trial against the Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Trolley Inc. begins in November.

On Thursday, the MTS issued the following statement:

"The Mission Valley Center station complies with all industry design safety standards. This is the only pedestrian-related accident recorded since the station opened in 1997."