Elverta and Walerga Roads Intersection Site of Truck and Bicycle Accident
An intersection hit-and-run with injuries occurred in Antelope on Thursday, October 22, at about 3:11 in the afternoon hours. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash between a truck and a bicyclist happened at the Elverta and Walerga crossroads directly across from the gas station.
Early reports from the scene of the intersection hit-and-run said the cyclist was alert, but information about the injuries was not provided at this time. Early responders were called to examine the bicyclist. The CHP is in charge of investigating the collision and will provide information as it becomes available.
Intersection Accidents
Accidents in intersections are not only common, they can also be severe and deadly. Studies show that there are 2.5 million accidents in intersections annually. Roughly half of all serious collisions happen in intersections, along with 20 percent of all fatal accidents. This includes pedestrian, bicyclist, and motor vehicle accidents. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 165,000 intersection accidents occur due to a red-light runner.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Over the past several years, crashes described as an intersection hit-and-run have become more frequent. It stands to reason that with an increase in intersection accidents, this would happen. One of the main reasons is that the overall number of fleeing drivers has increased. Measures to penalize hit-and-run drivers are not making a dent in this phenomenon. Drivers have several reasons to run after hitting another vehicle or injuring someone:
- As more and more drivers drink or are under the influence of drugs when driving, the incidence of hit-and-run becomes common. Since both drugs and alcohol wear off and are not detectable with time, some drivers prefer to leave the scene of the intersection hit-and-run and turn themselves in at a later date.
- California has a high incidence of drivers who are unlicensed or have a revoked, expired or suspended license. Roughly 22 percent of fatal accidents in the state are caused by drivers with an invalid license or who lack one completely. Rather than get caught, this driver will flee the scene of an accident.
- Some motorists risk hit-and-run penalties because they do not have the obligatory insurance demanded in California. They don’t want to face fines or the confiscation of their vehicle.
- Outstanding warrants could cause a driver to flee the scene of an intersection hit-and-run. They fear being apprehended when the police check their driver’s license. If the warrants are for moving violations, being involved in a hit-and-run could mean even more trouble ahead.
- Panic often sets in when a driver realizes that they caused an accident or were involved in one. This type of individual wants to get as far away as they can from the accident. Once common sense takes over, they often turn themselves in at a police station.
- Unlicensed drivers also try to avoid charges by leaving the accident site.
Who Pays for Damages When a Hit-and-Run Driver Is Involved
Drivers often worry that if they are in a hit-and-run accident, they will be unable to be compensated for their injuries. While many fleeing drivers are found, others are not. One way that an injured party can avoid paying for the damages that were inflicted on them themselves is to use their own uninsured/underinsured motorist protection insurance.
This is offered to all drivers in the state, and if they add it to their auto policy, they can use it to pay for damages caused by a fleeing driver. Even if the injured person does not have uninsured/underinsured driver insurance, they can use that held by another member of the household. Premiums do not increase when this form of insurance is used.
Investigating an Intersection Hit-and-Run with Injuries
Our investigators use a protocol aimed at determining the identity of the hit-and-run driver. They speak to witnesses, obtain video footage of the accident, and review police reports. Sometimes, they will canvas the neighborhood to locate the driver. Accident reconstruction techniques are often used to establish liability in the crash. Once the evidence is accumulated, they hand it over to our legal team, who use it to build a strong case for our client.
Antelope Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Antelope bicycle accident lawyer. I can give you free and friendly advice if you were injured in an accident. Just call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact me online.
I’ve helped many residents of Antelope since 1982 receive the compensation they deserve in all types of truck accidents, pedestrian injuries, and wrongful deaths.
I belong to the following organizations:
Learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/cycling-bicycle-riding-sport-655565/
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