Northgate Boulevard Accident Kills Pedestrian in Hit-and-Run
A hit-and-run driver struck and killed a pedestrian in South Natomas on July 12 in the afternoon hours. The accident happened along westbound Northgate Boulevard near the intersection with West El Camino Avenue at about 2:41 in the afternoon, according to a representative of the Sacramento Police Department. The pedestrian was determined to have suffered major injuries by first responders with the Sacramento Fire Department and died at the scene. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office has identified the decedent as 32-year-old Steven Chigaekwu Austin of Sacramento.
Loved One Forever Remembered
Steven Austin was a beloved friend and member of his family. His loved ones said he was full of life and was always willing to help. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him for his presence that brought joy and his great storytelling. A GoFundMe page has been created by the friends of Mr. Austin to help his family lay him to rest in Nigeria with his father and brother, who passed away years ago.
Police Seek Hit and Run Driver
Police believe the vehicle that struck the man fled from the scene before the officers arrived. During their investigation of the accident, officers canvassed the area, looked for witnesses and sought surveillance cameras to obtain more information about the vehicle. Westbound El Camino Avenue was shut down up to Northgate Boulevard while the investigation was ongoing, and the scene cleared.
Seeking a Hit-and-Run Driver
Hit-and-run drivers are becoming more common, and they flee the scene of an accident for various reasons. Some are simply scared, while others might have an outstanding warrant, have been drinking or don’t have car insurance. Whatever the reason, locating the hit and run driver is possible, and my law firm has a good track record in locating these at-fault drivers. When they are located, their insurance company can be pursued to pay for the damages, or the case can be taken to court in a wrongful death lawsuit. There are also other alternatives if the driver cannot be found.
Insurance Coverage to Cover a Pedestrian Injury or Fatality
When drivers sign up for car insurance in California, they are offered uninsured/underinsured motorist protection as an option. Many elect to take this insurance because of the high number of uninsured in the state. If the injured pedestrian does not carry this type of policy addition and another member of the household does, this can be used to cover medical and other expenses, including funeral costs. It also does not raise the rates.
Losing a Loved One
The loss of a loved one is always difficult but can be even more so when that person’s life was snatched away by a careless driver. Naturally, you want to show your support for the family in their time of need, and there are things you can do to help, including:
- Visit but call before going or phone if you cannot be there in person.
- People who are grieving need to talk because they are angry, confused, grief-stricken and face conflicting emotions. Listening helps them work their way through the grieving process.
- Offer to run errands or do chores around the house, such as washing dishes or watching the children for a while.
- Send over food or order a meal to be delivered. Those who are deep in grief often forget to eat.
- Offer to accompany the grieving person to the funeral home to make the arrangements. This is especially important if that person is alone and has no family members for emotional support.
- Once the funeral and burial are over, it can be one of the most trying times for a person who is grieving. Stay in touch, phone, visit and let them know that you are there for them. It will be appreciated.
Investigating a Hit-and-Run Accident
At our firm, we gather the evidence from the accident site. When a hit-and-run driver is involved, we make every effort to locate him/her. Our investigators speak with witnesses and obtain videos from intersection traffic cameras. They also review police reports for inaccuracies and use accident reconstruction techniques to determine liability. Once all the information is obtained, we release it to our legal team, who use it to build a strong case for our client.
Natomas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Natomas pedestrian accident lawyer. The loss of a loved one is difficult to deal with and more so when it was caused by the negligent actions of another. In addition to the grief, the family may face economic uncertainty from the loss of income. I have free and friendly advice to offer you if you phone me at (916) 921-6400 locally or (800) 404-5400. An online form is available also if that is easier.
I am a California member of the Million Dollar Forum and the Top 1 Percent.
Information about my law firm can be found at the links below:
I’ve helped Natomas residents since 1982 with obtaining compensation for their wrongful deaths, traffic collisions and other personal injuries.
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bright-burn-burnt-candle-278823/
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