Midtown Auto Accident in Sacramento Causes Injuries
A Midtown auto accident occurred in Sacramento on September 16, but a driver who attempted to flee was kept at the scene until police arrived. The accident was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) along 20th Street around 8:30 in the evening when a pickup truck and Honda Accord collided, blocking southbound 20th Street. A person in the pickup truck was described as bleeding, and the vehicle they were riding in was emitting smoke.
Additional Details of the Auto Accident
Authorities arrived at the scene to discover three males fighting with one other individual in a pasture nearby. The fourth person appeared to be attempting to flee the scene of the crash and may have been responsible for the auto accident. The CHP was charged with investigating the Midtown accident to determine who was at fault. At least one of the vehicles was damaged enough to require a tow truck to remove it from the accident site.
Fleeing the Scene of an Auto Accident
It is always against the law to leave the scene of an accident. It does not matter if a driver caused the accident or not. On occasion, bystanders or others involved in the accident may attempt to stop the responsible party from leaving. There are many reasons a person leaves the scene, including not wanting to take responsibility. Other reasons include:
- The driver does not have an active driver’s license.
- The driver is intoxicated or has used drugs.
- The vehicle lacks a proper, current registration.
- The driver does not have up-to-date car insurance.
Who Pays for the Damages
One of the first questions clients ask is who will pay for the damages. This is a valid concern, especially when the at-fault driver leaves the scene of an auto accident. When an injured party cannot file a claim against the at-fault driver, it is possible to use your own uninsured/underinsured insurance without raising your rates.
Uninsured/Underinsured Insurance in a Hit and Run Accident
All California insurance companies must offer uninsured/underinsured coverage to their clients. This protects you if you are hit by someone who has low or absent coverage or leaves the scene of the crash. It is important to remember that uninsured/underinsured insurance will only protect you up to the limits of your policy. Your UIM insurance covers you for the extent of liability insurance you have. If you carry the minimum insurance the state requires, your protection under uninsured/underinsured coverage will be the same.
How Does Uninsured/Underinsured Insurance Work?
You have two years to file a claim with your insurance company for an uninsured motorist claim. If you do not have your own car but a family member who lives with you does and carries uninsured motorist protection, you can use their insurance to cover damages. This is also true if you are out walking when injured or riding a bicycle.
What an Attorney Can Do For You
Our firm is committed to obtaining the damages you deserve. We start by dispatching our investigative team to the accident scene. There, our investigators gather evidence, review police reports for mistakes, interview witnesses, and obtain video footage of the accident from traffic lights and nearby businesses. We then turn this data over to our lawyers who build a strong case used in negotiations with insurers or in a civil court.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Accidents around Sacramento commonly result in serious injuries. If negligence by another person or entity caused that accident, the injured party can claim fair compensation. This is used to pay for the pain and suffering the person experienced and for their lost wages and medical costs. Call for my free and friendly advice about your case at (916) 921-6400 locally. Other Northern Californians can reach me at (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is available also.
There are many personal injury lawyers to choose from, and this can be a difficult decision to make when you need legal advice. To help, I’ve included links to reviews by my clients and cases that my law firm has handled.
For 37 years, I’ve successfully handled many traffic collision cases as well as those involving traumatic injuries for those seeking fair compensation.
I am a proud member of the following:
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel chooses fewer than 1 percent of lawyers nationwide to join their group. Those chosen display the highest standards of excellence in the law.
- Million Dollar Forum is composed of lawyers who have won a settlement or verdict of over $1 million for a client.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_79189750_l-2015
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