Napa Pedestrian Hit-and-Run
I’m Ed Smith, a Napa car accident lawyer. On Sunday, October 1, 2017, a pedestrian in Napa was left with serious injuries after being involved in a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision.
Accident Details
According to a report given by California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident happened sometime during the night on Sunday just a short distance south of the First Street on-ramp on the southbound section of Highway 29 in Napa, not far from the Napa Creek Overpass.
Authorities reported that the pedestrian, 47-year-old Stephen Underwood, a resident of Orlando, Florida, was walking along the highway when he was struck by a passing vehicle. After striking the man and knocking him to the ground, the driver of the vehicle immediately drove away from the scene of the accident.
Injuries
After a caller notified them of the injured pedestrian, CHP sent emergency medical personnel to the site of the accident. Responders found Underwood with major traumatic injuries and transported him by ambulance to the Queen of the Valley Medical Center so that he could receive emergency care.
Officials have reported that, as of Monday, October 2, 2017, Underwood is in stable condition and recovering from his wounds. The specific nature of the injuries that Underwood suffered was not reported.
Investigation
CHP is currently searching for the vehicle that drove away after injuring Underwood. Witnesses of the accident- or anybody that has pertinent information that might lead CHP to the negligent driver- are asked to call the Napa CHP office by dialing (707) 2543-4906. Officers noted that any help with finding the errant driver would be very much appreciated.
Hit-and-Run Collisions
Hit-and-run accidents are becoming more and more prevalent in the United States and have been on the rise for over ten years. Sadly, this means that the chances of being involved in a hit-and-run accident are much higher now than in previous years. Pedestrians who frequently walk on U.S. roads should review the following information so they will know what to do if a driver leaves the scene of an accident.
Seek Care
The first and most important thing to do after being hit by a driver who flees is to seek medical attention. Many who are involved in hit-and-run accidents are reluctant to accept medical attention because they are unsure of how they will pay the bill when no one is there to be held accountable for the damages. However, not only should your well-being be your first priority, but refusing medical care initially can affect how courts and adjusters treat your claim later on.
Report the Incident
Secondly, California law requires that those involved in hit-and-run crashes report the collision to the Department of Motor Vehicles if injuries are sustained or if property damage exceeds $750. Those involved in hit-and-run incidents should report their incident as soon as possible; not only to be in compliance with the law but to improve the chances that authorities are able to locate the criminally negligent driver.
More by Ed Smith, Napa Car Accident Lawyer
Napa Personal Injury Attorney & Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Napa car accident lawyer. A crash can cause devastating damages. If you have been involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, call me today at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice with no obligation. You can also reach me online at AutoAccident.com.
I’ve helped Napa residents recover from accidents including personal injury and wrongful death claims since 1982.
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