Lake County Hit-and-Run Injures Child
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports, a seven-year-old child was critically injured during a Lake County hit-and-run car accident that took place on Saturday, October 20, 2019. Police say that they are actively searching for the suspected driver but have not been able to locate him so far. The child is reportedly currently in recovery at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Whether or not any other individuals suffered trauma during the accident has not been reported.
Crash Information
Police reported that the crash happened at night on Big Valley Road. The boy’s mother had been driving in a Kia Spectra with her children in the car when another vehicle slammed into her. Details about how exactly the impact took place have not been made available. However, reports indicated that the driver of the second vehicle immediately drove away from the accident scene.
When emergency medical responders reached the wrecked Kia, they discovered that the young boy had been critically injured. The boy was rushed to a trauma center in Sacramento to receive emergency treatment. Information from hospital staff indicated that the boy suffered two broken vertebrae during the accident and had undergone three separate surgeries in three consecutive days.
Investigation
The mother of the injured child told police that she recognized the driver of the other vehicle. A spokesperson for the boy’s family indicated that the missing driver is suspected to be an acquaintance, and family members have already called him personally, asking that he turn himself in. However, the man hasn’t been found so far. Anybody with information about the accident or the whereabouts of the missing driver is asked to contact investigators at 1-800-TELL-CHP to report what they know.
Hit-and-Runs and Financial Liability
In a normal vehicle accident, injured parties are typically owed compensation from negligent drivers. Because injury recovery can be very stressful and expensive, families can hold reckless drivers responsible for paying for necessary costs like surgeries, ambulance rides, in-home care, and more. However, when the negligent driver can’t be found, many people worry about how they will be able to afford these expenses.
If a hit-and-run driver can’t be found and held responsible, people can often claim compensation through their own insurance company. This depends on whether or not your policy includes what is called “uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.” Because this coverage is optional in California, not everyone has it, and the amount of payment available can differ widely. The best thing to do if you or a loved one was hurt during a hit-and-run is to get in touch with an attorney who has experience handling cases like yours. Your lawyer will be able to look at your insurance policy and let you know what kind of compensation you may be able to recover.
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Clearlake Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Clearlake car accident lawyer. Crash injuries can be devastating. If you or a family member were injured in an auto accident, contact me to speak about your case and receive free, friendly advice. I’m available by phone at (800) 404-5400 and (707) 564-1900.
For over 37 years, my team and I have helped individuals in Lake County obtain the settlements and verdicts that they deserve for serious injury claims. See what my valued clients have said about me and my practice on these websites:
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