Hit and Run Crash at Intersection in Sacramento
An accident involving a hit and run resulted in injuries and occurred in Sacramento on November 17 along Stockton Boulevard when two vehicles collided. The accident happened around 5:34 in the afternoon at the intersection of Stockton Boulevard and Watt Avenue between a pickup truck and Ford van, according to a report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Although the vehicles were blocking the center lane following the collision, one of the drivers decided to flee the accident scene. Emergency responders were asked by the CHP to expedite their arrival to the site to assess injuries sustained in the remaining vehicle. The hit and run collision is under investigation by the CHP to determine how it occurred and who was at fault for the crash.
Fleeing the Scene of an Accident
Nationally, someone is involved in a hit and run accident every 43 seconds. Unfortunately, the number of hit and run accidents has increased by 60 percent in the last decade. The greatest increase occurred in 2016, the last year for which statistics are available, with 2,049 deaths recorded across the country and over 300 in California. Hit and run incidents are problematic in that not only is someone killed, but in many cases, it seems as if justice is not served. At our firm, we work with authorities to apprehend the perpetrator. We do this by acquiring information at the scene and in the community that may lead to apprehending the person responsible.
Who Is Most Likely to Be Hurt in a Hit and Run Situation?
Motorists are involved in many hit and run accidents. Yet, it is those who have the least protection who often suffer the greatest. In all, 70 percent of those killed in hit and run incidents are pedestrians and cyclists.
Increased Traffic Leads to More Accidents
According to the American Automobile Association, an explanation as to why there are more accidents is twofold. First, there are more people walking and bicycling to work and as a leisure activity than ever before, leading to more urban accidents. Second, the traffic in cities and on the highway is greater than it was in the past. This explains why more accidents happen but not why people run from a crash.
Why Do People Flee From a Crash?
Here are some of the explanations offered by experts in the field:
- Drivers who leave the scene are more than likely drunk or were drinking prior to the crash. They are fearful of being caught and facing the consequences.
- They have an arrest warrant that will be discovered if they remain at the scene of the crash.
- The driver of the fleeing vehicle may not have automobile insurance and is fearful of being exposed.
Who Pays for the Damages in a Hit and Run Collision?
Many clients ask who will pay for their damages if the driver cannot be located in a hit and run wreck. Unfortunately, some fleeing drivers are not apprehended. That does not mean you have to pay for the damages yourself. If you have uninsured motorist protection, it will cover you if you are in another vehicle, walking or cycling. If this addon is not on your auto insurance policy and a family member living with you has it, you are still covered. Premiums do not increase when uninsured/underinsured motorist protection is used.
How a Lawyer Can Help
At our firm, we dispatch our investigative team to the site of the wreck. We search for evidence of who was at fault for the crash. We also look for clues as to the identity of the driver who fled and canvass the neighborhood to search for information on the accident. Our investigators also interview witnesses, obtain video footage of the crash, and review police reports for errors. Once all this information is accumulated, our investigative team provides our lawyers with the data to use against the defendant.
Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento auto accident lawyer. When you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another person or entity, you may be able to place a claim for fair compensation. This can pay for all of your medical expenses, your lost wages from being off work, and your pain and suffering. Please phone me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for my free and friendly advice. I can also be reached by sending me a message online.
I’ve worked as a Sacramento and Northern California personal injury lawyer for 37 years. During this time, I’ve assisted many people in obtaining fair compensation for traumatic injuries, wrongful deaths, and all types of traffic collisions.
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Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_37667915_l-2015
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