Two Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run Accident
An accident involving a hit-and-run driver occurred in Livingston on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 25, 2017. Unfortunately, the accident caused two parties to suffer traumatic injuries.
We hope and pray for a swift and full recovery for the two parties affected by this senseless tragedy.
What Happened?
A silver Cadillac sedan was traveling southbound along Main Street in the vicinity of I Street at approximately 12:25 pm. Witnesses reported that the Cadillac was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed moments before colliding with a red Chevrolet Geo Prizm. The Cadillac traveled approximately 100 feet from the scene and struck a bus stop bench. The Cadillac eventually came to a stop along the lawn of a nearby church. The impact of the collision also propelled the Chevrolet into a parked minivan in the area.
Cadillac Driver Flees Scene
The driver of the Cadillac, identified as a 35-year-old man from Atwater, fled the scene on foot after the collision. The man was allegedly running through multiple backyards of an area neighborhood. Authorities were able to locate the man a short time later along G Street. According to police, the man allegedly had several felony warrants for his arrest. The man was found with possession of drug paraphernalia and complained of pain to his ribs. The man was transported for an evaluation to determine whether he was driving under the influence.
Was Anybody Injured?
The driver of the Geo and the passenger of the Cadillac both suffered major injuries. They were both transported to hospitals in Modesto for medical treatment.
What Caused the Accident?
The cause of the accident remains unknown as the investigation by the Livingston Police Department is ongoing. Generally, Traffic Collision Reports take one to two weeks to be processed. It is likely that this accident will be identified as a hit-and-run due to the driver of the Cadillac fleeing the scene. Authorities will also be investigating whether excessive speed played a role in the collision. The estimated property damage to the bus stop bench ranges from $7,000 to $10,000.
Car Accidents Involving Hit-and-Run Drivers
Hit-and-run accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, drivers flee the scene of a collision due to warrants for their arrest while others leave fearing liability when they lack automobile insurance. Both reasons are unacceptable for leaving the scene of an accident, especially when injuries occurred. An essential way to protecting oneself from hit-and-runs include collision coverage and Uninsured/Under-insured Motorist Protection (UM/UIM).
Collision coverage is helpful to have, especially with the rise of stolen vehicle accidents and hit-and-runs in the state. Even though you may have to front a deductible, it is more reasonable to pay a deductible rather than several thousand dollars for out of pocket vehicle repairs. One who does not have this coverage on their insurance policy may be liable for the repair costs themselves.
UM coverage is not required by California State Law, however, it is important to have in the event of an automobile accident causing serious injuries. A majority of California drivers only have the state-required minimal policy limits for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage, which is $15,000. In other cases, drivers may cause accidents and have no insurance to compensate the affected parties. An injured party in either situation may resort to their UM policy for just restitution.
Merced Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced car accident lawyer. Accidents involving hit-and-run drivers can be stressful situations to handle. If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit-and-run accident and you need an injury lawyer, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice. I can also be reached online at AutoAccident.com.
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