Pedestrian Injured in Intersection Hit-and-Run
An intersection hit-and-run in Orangevale on February 25 left a pedestrian with injuries. The collision was reported around 6:48 p.m. at Greenback Lane and Walnut Avenue. The vehicle that struck the pedestrian then fled the scene. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are conducting an investigation into the intersection hit-and-run to discover the identity of the driver and how the crash occurred.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in Sacramento
Hit-and-run injuries are common in Sacramento. They have increased in the past decade despite rigid penalties against this. The reasons that hit-and-run accidents occur are:
- The driver does not want to assume responsibility for the crash.
- The motorist has been drinking and does not want to be charged with a DUI.
- The driver has been using drugs and is afraid he/she will be charged with driving under the influence.
- The motorist does not have insurance or an up-to-date license.
- The vehicle is stolen.
- The motorist panics and leaves the scene of the accident.
Catching a Hit-and-Run Driver
The police investigate a hit-and-run accident with a focus on catching the driver. So does the investigative team at AutoAccident.com. Some of the ways the investigators at our firm do this are:
- We examine the scene of the accident, looking for evidence that will help apprehend the fleeing driver. This includes descriptions given by bystanders. Many times, the driver has distinguishing features that will help when searching for them.
- Our investigators also look for evidence left at the scene that will help pinpoint the involved motor vehicle. This includes paint smears left on the damaged vehicle and license plate numbers. The paint is often specific for a make or model of an automobile. While many people do not remember the entire license plate number, even a few numbers can help.
- Videos of the car accident can help apprehend the fleeing driver since the accident is caught on tape. Many times, bystanders take a video on their cell phones. Traffic surveillance cameras are also useful.
How To Recover Damages in a Hit-and-Run Accident
People who suffer hit-and-run injuries often wonder how they will recover damages. While many fleeing drivers are captured, not all are. In these cases, the injured person can use their own uninsured/underinsured policy.
This type of policy is offered to all drivers in California when they purchase car accident insurance. The add-on policy is not mandatory, although many drivers choose to get it since there are many motorists in the state who are driving without insurance.
Uninsured/underinsured insurance will pay for financial losses due to an injury whether you are driving, walking, or bicycling. Using it does not make one’s premium increase. In addition, if you do not have this policy and another member of your family does, you can use their uninsured/underinsured coverage to obtain fair compensation.
Investigating an Accident With a Fleeing Driver
Our investigators are sent to the scene of the accident to gather evidence that will help our client. They start by searching the area for evidence that will help identify the vehicle that left the scene. They interview witnesses and look for videos. The investigators also review police reports for inaccuracies. In some cases, they search the neighborhood for people who may know the fleeing driver.
One way they identify the vehicle is by looking for marks that may have been left on the injured party’s vehicle when the collision occurred. This is one reason why a vehicle should be preserved after a crash.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, call me for free and friendly advice. I can be reached at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 or online.
I’ve helped many residents of Sacramento and the surrounding area obtain the compensation they need in different types of car accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful deaths.
Learn more about my firm on the pages listed below:
I am proud to have been offered membership in the following highly regarded organizations.
Attributed photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/pedestrians-people-busy-movement-400811/
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