Accident at Green Valley Intersection Injures Pedestrian as Driver Flees
A hit-and-run accident with injuries occurred west of Placerville recently when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The accident happened just before 6:00 p.m. at the intersection of Green Valley and Dunnings Roads in Rescue, according to the incident report issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Medics with the Cal Fire Camino Station responded to assess injuries to the pedestrian. However, the extent of the injuries was not disclosed. The hit-and-run accident is being investigated by the CHP to discover how it occurred and to locate the fleeing driver.
Pedestrian Accidents
Injuries in a pedestrian accident can be serious or lead to wrongful death. This is because the pedestrian has no protection from the impact the vehicle imposes. In 2019, over 7,000 pedestrian deaths were recorded nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This represents the highest incidence of pedestrian deaths in a decade and is likely due to the increased number of pedestrians and vehicles on the road.
Hit-and-Run Accidents on the Upswing in California
Although common in the past, the risk of a hit-and-run accident is increasing nationwide and in California, where roughly 17 percent of all traffic crashes involve a fleeing driver. In the nine years from 2010 to 2019, over 3,000 people have died in California in a hit-and-run accident.
Why Do Hit-And-Run Accidents Happen
As with any traffic problem, hit-and-run accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common are:
- The vehicle operator does not have a valid driver’s license, and they fear disciplinary actions.
- The vehicle’s registration is not up-to-date.
- The driver has outstanding warrants against them.
- The vehicle operator is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and does not want to be arrested.
- The driver panics and flees the scene.
Compensation in a Hit-and-Run Accident
Many clients worry that they will not be compensated for their injuries if the fleeing driver is not apprehended. In addition, the fleeing driver may not have enough insurance to cover all damages. We assist our clients in using their underinsured/uninsured driver policies to pay for all damages when the hit-and-run driver is found but does not have auto insurance.
How To Use an Uninsured/Underinsured Driver Policy
This is an add-on offered to drivers when they apply for vehicle insurance. Due to the large number of drivers in California who lack proper insurance or who have just the bare minimum, having this type of coverage is a good idea. This optional insurance is available to cover all injuries for you and your family up to the policy limit of your coverage. Even if the injured party has minimum coverage and their medical and other damages are high, the use of an umbrella policy will make up the difference.
Learn about uninsured insurance coverage in the following video presented by attorney Ed Smith:
Finding a Hit-and-Run Driver
At our firm, we have been fortunate to help locate many fleeing drivers through diligent investigative methods. We speak to bystanders who saw the accident to see if they remember anything about the hit-and-run driver or the vehicle. Even small clues can help us put the puzzle together, such as the color and make of the vehicle, any distinguishing stickers on the car, driver description and the license plate number, or even a part of it.
Placerville Personal Injury Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Placerville personal injury lawyer. Injuries to a pedestrian can be severe and result in long hospitalization and high medical bills as well as lost wages and pain and suffering. You are welcome to call us for our free and friendly advice to see if you can place a claim for compensation against the negligent party at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. An online form to connect with us is available also.
My legal team has helped Placerville residents and others in El Dorado County obtain the compensation they deserve in pedestrian and other types of traffic collisions since 1982.
Learn how our injury lawyers have helped others at the following links:
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Photo attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQUoMidp2cM&t=24s; Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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