Hit-and-Run Driver Reportedly Caused Accident at Intersection
An intersection collision between two vehicles in North Highlands injured one woman, while the other motorist fled the scene on July 16. The accident was reported around 10:43 a.m. at Elkhorn Boulevard and Watt Avenue and involved a Nissan Altima and Pontiac Vibe. The woman in the Pontiac told officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that the other driver had been acting recklessly prior to the accident by speeding and then braking.
Intersection Accident Injures One Person
The Pontiac driver reported that she was injured. The driver in the Nissan left at 11:03 a.m. First responders with the Sacramento Fire Department arrived at the intersection collision site to assess the driver’s injuries. It was not reported whether she was treated at the scene or taken to a hospital. The CHP is investigating the accident to determine how it occurred.
Leaving the Scene of an Intersection Collision
The rate of hit-and-run accidents has risen dramatically over the past decade. The penalties for fleeing the scene of an accident are hefty and can include jail time, fines and loss of one’s driving privileges. This makes it difficult to imagine why so many drivers decide to flee when they are involved in an intersection collision. Intersections usually have video cameras attached to traffic lights making it easier to identify the vehicle. Some of the reasons why drivers flee despite this are listed below:
- Panic: Anyone who has been in an accident can attest to the fear that it causes. Some individuals give in to the flight and fight instinct humans share and run away. In many cases, they return to the accident site once they have time to think.
- Impaired driving: A driver who is inebriated leaves because they do not want to be caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Prior warrants: Many times, the driver has prior warrants that could be due to parking tickets or other infractions.
How to Pay for Damages When a Hit-and-Run Driver Flees
Often, clients ask how they will pay for damages when a hit-and-run driver flees. Many times, they are caught. However, in those instances where they cannot be located, there is another way to pay for damages. All drivers are offered uninsured/underinsured auto insurance in California. It is not mandatory, but given the large number of drivers who do not have car insurance, it is a good idea. This can be used to pay for damages if a hit-and-run driver is not caught. Even if you do not have uninsured insurance, but someone in your family does, you can use theirs to collect damages. The premium is not increased when it is used.
Car Accident Investigation
Evidence is needed to support a claim for compensation following an injury by the at-fault person or entity. We begin by sending our investigative team to the crash site to collect that evidence. They look for video cameras that might have captured the intersection collision on tape. The investigators check the police report for mistakes and interview any witnesses to the accident. Accident reconstruction is performed, which can indicate how the intersection accident occurred and is used both by the insurer and in a court case if necessary.
In some cases, government negligence contributed to or caused an intersection collision. This happens when maintenance is neglected, such as overgrown foliage or improperly-working traffic lights. The entity in charge can be held liable for damages. However, because the timeline for filing against a government entity is much shorter, it is important to enlist the help of an experienced lawyer to ensure it is done correctly and in a timely manner.
Our lawyers take over once all the evidence has been compiled. The evidence is used to construct a case that favors our client and is used with the insurance company or when preparing a court case.
North Highlands Personal Injury Lawyer.
I’m Ed Smith, a North Highlands personal injury lawyer. When a negligent motorist has caused your injury, you may wish to place a claim for compensation. This can pay all of your medical costs, and for the time you lost at work in addition to your pain and suffering. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for my compassionate, free and friendly advice. An online contact form is available also.
Over my career of 38 years as a lawyer, I’ve helped many North Highlands residents get the compensation they deserve in areas such as traffic collisions, wrongful deaths, and after suffering traumas such as brain injuries.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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