Highway 99 Hit-and-Run Crash Leaves Pedestrian Fatally Injured
On Thursday, January 14, 2021, one person sustained deadly injuries as the result of a Highway 99 hit-and-run crash. The collision occurred at night and involved a pedestrian and one passenger vehicle. The fatally injured pedestrian has since been identified by the Butte County Sheriff’s Department as Brandon Hicks, a 49-year-old man from Chico. At the time of reporting, police were still searching for the missing driver and vehicle.
Crash Details
CHP reports that the accident happened at around 7:00 p.m. on the eastern side of Highway 99 near the junction located at Meridian Road. Few details about the events that preceded the collision have been reported, but officers indicated that Hicks was walking along the side of the highway when he was struck by a passing vehicle. The vehicle immediately drove away from the scene, leaving the injured man behind.
Response
The collision was reported to police by somebody who saw Hicks lying on the side of the road. After being alerted about the injured individual, dispatchers immediately rushed emergency responders out to the scene. Upon arrival, medical responders discovered that Hicks had suffered critical trauma during the collision. Tragically, he passed away on-site.
Reportedly, the highway remained partially closed to traffic while response and initial investigations were conducted. At this point, police haven’t provided descriptions of the missing driver or vehicle.
The Impact of Fatal Accidents
Suddenly losing somebody that you love can cause immense pain and many people dealing with such a loss feel overwhelmed by grief. Coping with grief after fatal accidents can be very difficult, and it is important to do what you can to treat yourself with kindness and seek support from people in your community, friend groups, and family. For more information about how the grieving process relates to fatal auto accidents, you can read this informative article.
However, deadly accidents don’t just cause emotional trauma, they also often result in major financial issues. Families may be left without an income source, leaving them unsure of how they’ll afford their bills. On top of this, families are often left with bills for medical services their loved one received before they passed.
Claiming Compensation for Hit-and-Runs
With normal auto accidents, families can pursue compensation from at-fault drivers by filing wrongful death claims. However, if the driver can’t be found, you may still be able to obtain compensation through your own insurance policy. Many policies include a type of coverage called “uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage” that allows families to claim payments even if the missing driver is never located.
However, this coverage isn’t a part of every insurance policy and, even if you do have it, the amount available can vary widely depending on your specific policy. Furthermore, insurers don’t always offer families the full amount of money that they deserve. Because of these reasons, it’s very important to have a skilled Chico wrongful death lawyer on your side while seeking compensation for hit-and-run damages.
Other Blogs by Ed Smith, Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico wrongful death lawyer. To lose a family member or friend can have devastating consequences for your household. To receive free, friendly advice about your fatal accident case, reach out to us as soon as possible at either (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400.
Our law firm has been assisting people in the Chico area with wrongful death cases for 38 years. If you’d like to get more information about our work history, see the list of settlements and verdicts on our website or visit the below pages to read our client reviews:
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