Major Pedestrian Accident Sends Elderly Man to Hospital
A major pedestrian accident occurred in Stockton on September 25 when an elderly man was struck at a local intersection. The accident happened in the residential area of Fred Russo Drive where it intersects with March Lane around 6:24 in the morning, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) report. The vehicle that struck the pedestrian left the scene. At this time, no information about the driver or the vehicle has been supplied by authorities. The injured pedestrian, described as age 85, was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The accident is under investigation by officials with the CHP to determine how it occurred. Due to the investigation into the crash, March Lane between Montauban Avenue and Holman Road was closed for a time.
Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and run pedestrian accidents are common in California. In 2016, more than 2,000 people died due to an accident where the driver fled the scene. Of this number, 65 percent of the accidents involved either a pedestrian or a bicyclist. The majority of accidents happen on roads where the speed limit is low or where pedestrian crossings are common. Most hit and run accidents happen in the hours between midnight and 4:00 a.m.
Reasons Drivers Do Not Stop
There are several reasons a fleeing driver does not stop. The underlying cause is that the driver has something to hide. This could be that they are intoxicated and know it would be easily determined by police. The driver may not have a valid driver’s license or car insurance. On some occasions, the driver has drugs in the vehicle and would be unable to dispose of them if they stopped. Finally, some drivers just panic and do not want to be held responsible.
Compensation After a Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident
One of the most common questions after a hit and run pedestrian accident is who will pay for medical and other expenses due to injuries sustained in the crash if the at-fault driver leaves. If the perpetrator is caught, a lawsuit can be filed against his or her insurance company or the defendant themselves. However, if the driver is not apprehended, the injured party will be able to collect from their own car insurance company if they have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is an option that can be added to your basic car insurance policy. It also covers the injured person if they were walking or cycling at the time of the accident. However, if the person injured by the fleeing driver lacks car insurance, but a family member who lives with them has a policy with uninsured motorist protection, they will be covered under it. Additionally, neither the injured party nor their family member will see their rates go up because of it.
How an Attorney Can Help
Our law firm approaches a hit and run accident using our own investigative techniques. We interview witnesses at the scene to determine how the accident happened. Many times, the injured party and/or the witnesses can describe the vehicle and its color, make and model. They may also be able to remember the license plate number or a part of it and any stickers or decals on the vehicle. Many times, they are also able to describe the driver and any distinguishing marks. Our investigators also look for videos from traffic surveillance cameras or nearby businesses that digitally document the pedestrian accident in progress. In addition, pavement marks may also be helpful. Once all this information is amassed, we are able to turn the data over to our legal team who use it to build a strong case in our client’s favor.
Stockton Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. The vulnerability of pedestrians when crossing the street makes them more likely to suffer serious injuries in a motor vehicle collision. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a hit and run accident, call me at (209) 227-1931 for my free and friendly advice. You can also reach me at (800) 404-5400, which is the toll-free line or by completing the online form at my website, AutoAccident.com.
In addition to other organizations, I’m honored to belong to the following:
I have handled successfully many personal injury cases for Stockton residents since 1982, winning compensation in all types of traffic collisions, traumas such as brain injuries and wrongful deaths.
It can be a difficult decision deciding whom to call when you need legal advice. At the following links are reviews/comments by my clients and cases that were handled by my firm previously:
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