Walker Suffers Pedestrian Injury in Hit-and-Run Accident
A pedestrian injury occurred on December 21 following a hit-and-run accident in Sacramento at around 11:42 a.m. When officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived at the accident scene on southbound Power Inn Road just south of Gerber Road, they discovered a pedestrian lying in the roadway. There was no sign of the driver that struck the pedestrian.
Further Information About the Pedestrian Injury Accident
Sacramento Fire Department first responders arrived to assess the injuries to the pedestrian. However, no further information was provided. The CHP is conducting an investigation to locate the fleeing driver, who may face felony charges as a result of the accident.
Pedestrian Injuries in a Car Accident
Pedestrian injuries can be significant after a collision with a car. This is due to the pedestrian’s lack of protection and vulnerability. It is also due to reckless and negligent driving on the part of the motorist. Some of the most common injuries that occur are:
- Head injury: Brain trauma is common and can have severe repercussions for the pedestrian. Many are unable to return to their life as they knew it or work. In some cases, the injured party will be hospitalized for long periods of time followed by extensive rehabilitation.
- Back injuries: Injuries to the spine are common in pedestrian accidents. They are painful, but if the spinal cord is involved, it can limit the person’s ability to walk, and paralysis of all four extremities occurs in some cases. Other back injuries include herniated discs and fractures of the spinal column.
- Pelvic and lower extremity injuries: These are some of the most common types of pedestrian injury. Usually, this is where the car first impacts the pedestrian and, depending on the speed, can cause significant damage. Femur fractures and pelvic injuries are often included in a pedestrian injury accident.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in Sacramento
The number of hit-and-run accidents in Sacramento has risen in the past decade and especially during the past few years. Despite strong deterrents to this, which include jail time and fines, it continues to happen. Some experts have tried to explain the psychology of the increase in hit-and-run accidents. Some of the reasons they give are:
- Drivers without a license or insurance
- Drivers who have outstanding warrants
- A motorist who is driving a stolen car
- Drunk and drug-impaired drivers
- Underage drivers
Paying for Your Pedestrian Injury in a Hit-and-Run Accident
After being injured by a negligent motorist, pedestrians often wonder how they will pay for their medical bills and lost wages if the person cannot be found. This is a valid concern and one which our injury attorneys help the injured pedestrians resolve.
Using Insurance to Pay for Injuries
Pedestrians can use their uninsured/underinsured auto insurance policy to pay for damages in a hit-and-run accident. This add-on policy is offered to all motorists in California. However, it is not mandatory, and drivers can refuse. With 15 percent of all Californians driving uninsured, this type of insurance is essential.
If the injured party does not carry the uninsured/underinsured policy add-on and another household member does, it is possible to use it to cover their injuries. It will not affect the policy rates.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. If you need free and friendly advice after being injured by a hit-and-run driver, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. My staff and I are here to help you and will make every effort to make the process as easy as possible. You can also reach out to me online.
Since 1982, I’ve helped Sacramentans obtain the compensation they deserve in all types of motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian injuries, and wrongful death cases.
I am pleased and honored to be a member of the following two organizations, among many others:
In order to learn about my practice, please click on the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/pedestrians-people-busy-movement-400811/
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