One Person Injured in Hit-and-Run on 47th Avenue
A hit-and-run accident with injuries was reported in Sacramento on December 4. The collision occurred in the Lemon Hill area shortly before 6:00 p.m. on 47th Avenue near 44th Street, as reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). It involved a Hyundai Elantra and an unknown vehicle that fled the scene. A young person was injured in the collision, and a tow truck had to be called to remove the vehicle. No additional information was provided. The CHP will be investigating the accident.
Incidence of Hit-and-Run Accidents
California registers the highest number of fatalities caused by fleeing drivers in the country, which includes motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders. There are a number of reasons a driver hits and then flees the scene. However, despite that the driver can face much more serious charges, they still try to get away with it.
Over the years, my law office has successfully located a number of hit-and-run drivers. We take the time to do this not just because it’s right but so the injured party can obtain compensation and justice. Some of the ways in which we locate a hit-and-run driver include:
Our investigative team goes to the accident scene right away to gather evidence, including taking photographs. Paint smears and dropped pieces of metal at the accident scene can help identify the make and model of the vehicle.
- The investigators perform accident reconstruction, which can indicate which driver was at fault for the collision.
- Witnesses to the hit-and-run are interviewed by the investigators. There are times that a witness can remember at least part of the license plate and describe the driver. In others, a witness might have taped the accident on their cell phone as it occurred.
- The accident report filed by the police is examined for mistakes because errors can affect the client’s compensation claim.
- Traffic cameras in the area are checked to see if the hit-and-run was captured on film. This is a good way to identify the vehicle, and the license plate number may be visible.
Once the hit-and-run driver is located, our legal team can use the evidence in building a strong case that supports our client’s claim for compensation.
Collecting Compensation Using Insurance
When the hit-and-run driver cannot be located, the injured party can use their uninsured/underinsured insurance policy to recover the cost of their injury. By enlisting the help of an injury lawyer to arbitrate your claim, you can recover a fair settlement. When California drivers first elect to take auto insurance, they are offered the uninsured/underinsured add-on policy. Because of the high number of drivers in the state who are either underinsured or have no auto insurance at all, many opt to take this add-on policy.
When the injured party does not have this add-on policy to their auto insurance, there is still another option to recover damages. If another member of the household carries this insurance, that can be used to pay for your accident injuries. It will not affect the rates in the future.
Car Accident Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident attorney in Sacramento. When you need advice on whether you can file a claim for compensation against the negligent party who caused your accident injury, you can call us for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400. We can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by messaging us online.
Learn how my law firm and our team of injury lawyers have helped people obtain fair compensation for their accident injuries at the following links:
We are honored to be California members of:
Since 1982, my legal team and I have helped people in Northern California in getting the compensation they deserve in cases involving wrongful deaths, all varieties of traffic accidents, government claims, and others.
Photo attribution: Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
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