California Injury Lawyer Blog

STANISLAUS COUNTY -- A male pedestrian, whose name was not released, is facing life-threatening injuries after he was severely struck by a hit-and-run driver in the city of Turlock, KCRA News reports. The accident happened at about 6:15 a.m. Monday on Lander Avenue just near B Street. News reports indicated the pedestrian was pushing a shopping cart across the street before he was seriously hit by an oncoming vehicle. Witnesses at the scene described the vehicle to be a dark colored 2002-2003 Ford Escape. Turlock police indicated the automobile might also have damage to the passenger side.

Cause of the Turlock Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Crash

Regardless of what happened and why, it is absolutely inexcusable for being involved in a collision and then fleeing the scene before police officials arrive. Under the Under the California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." Anyone with information about this tragic incident is asked to contact Team Investigator Mike Simbalenko of the Turlock Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team at 664-7380.

Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

While the investigation of this October 31st pedestrian accident is ongoing, the victim or family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to an experienced California pedestrian injury attorney. If the victim decides to take action in a personal injury claim, a skilled lawyer can ensure the individual's legal rights are protected, help police in efforts to locate the driver, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation in this devastating hit-and-run pedestrian accident. Compensation in a personal injury claim can include and are not limited to, medical care expenses, lost earnings, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Severely Hurt in Turlock Hit-And-Run Accident" »

FRESNO COUNTY -- A pedestrian man in his late 30's was seriously hit by a vehicle at a Southeast Fresno intersection, ABC 30 News reports. The pedestrian, whose name was not available, was crossing at the intersection of Cedar and Butler around 7 p.m. when he was severely struck by a car. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the scene of the accident, and therefore, police officials are currently searching for a metallic blue Toyota SUV, which will have visible front-end damage.

Following the accident, the pedestrian was transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.

Cause of the Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Accident

There is no excuse for a driver to leave the scene of the accident without identifying himself to the other parties involved in a crash and/or the proper authorities. Under the California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." Therefore, while it is unclear as to how this accident happened, authorities will continue to monitor and investigate the situation and try and locate the hit-and-run driver.

Fresno Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

Following a serious pedestrian accident such as this October 14th incident on Cedar and Bulter, the victim or the family of the victim would be well-advised to seek a skilled Fresno pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss the best course of action in pursuing a personal injury claim. An attorney who has handled hit-and-run collisions, can advise the victim of his legal rights, help in efforts to locate the driver, and help the victim recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this hit-and-run pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Critically Injured in Southeast Fresno Hit-And-Run Accident" »

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY -- On Tuesday, a 33-year-old Soquel woman was arrested and booked in Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of causing a hit-and-run accident that killed bicyclist Noel Hamilton on June 27th, Fox Reno reported. Sandra Joy Wertz was driving a white 1999 Infiniti QX4 on Soquel-San Jose Road just near O'Neill Lane at about 10:10 p.m. Monday night when she fatally struck and killed Hamilton. Wertz initially fled the scene, but later returned to provide a statement to California Highway Patrol officers. Hamilton, 31, who was a silk screener and sculptor, was reported dead at the scene.

CHP officer Sarah Jackson explained that Wertz was a suspect in the accident, but took investigators roughly 6 weeks to corroborate her story with the evidence. Investigators have also discussed Wertz's arrest to Hamilton's family.

Cause of the Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident

The reasons as to why and how the accident occurred remains to be unclear. However, based on the limited information provided by Mercury News and Fox Reno, it appears the driver will be held accountable for the hit-and-run bicycle accident. According to the California Vehicle Code § 20001, a driver involved in any accident that results in an injury or death, other than to himself or herself, is legally obligated to stop at the scene of the collision. And in a hit-and-run accident such as this one occurring on June 27th, the driver is usually charged with a felony.

Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In addition to criminal charges, the driver will most likely be held liable for the hit-and-run accident that killed the victim. Therefore, family members of the victim would be well-advised to seek a skilled Northern California wrongful death attorney. A knowledgeable attorney who has the expertise in tragic hit-and-run bicycle accidents can help the family understand and protect their legal rights, hold the driver fully responsible for the incident, and may be entitled to receive the maximum compensation for final medical care expenses, support, loss of a loved one, and funeral/burial costs relating to this fatal and devastating hit-and-run bicycle accident.

Continue reading "Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Causing Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident" »

OAKLAND - A hit-and-run driver killed a 72-year-old man who was walking across southbound Interstate 880 early Monday morning, Mercury News reported. The man, who was not immediately identified, was reportedly crossing the interstate just south of Park Street at about 12:30 a.m. when he was struck by an unidentified vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The CHP has no information about the vehicle that struck the man. Anyone with information about the May 23, 2011 Oakland hit-and-run accident is asked to contact the Oakland CHP at (510)450-3821.

Continue reading "Elderly Man Killed Early Monday in Oakland Hit-and-Run On Interstate 880 " »

DALY CITY - A man walking on Interstate 280 in Daly City was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver, the Contra Costa Times reported. The fatal pedestrian accident was reported at 5:50 a.m. on April 10, 2011. The pedestrian, Walter Barrett, 53, of Oakland was struck on southbound Interstate 280, apparently while trying to cross the roadway. The driver of the Toyota Corolla that struck him fled the scene on foot. Anyone who witnessed the San Mateo County hit and run accident is asked to contact CHP investigator Cathy Bowling at (415) 557-1094.

Continue reading "Oakland Man Struck and Killed in Daly City Hit-and-Run Accident " »

A Fresno man was taken to Community Regional Medical Center with life-threatening head injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in central Fresno on Tuesday night. The hit and run pedestrian accident occurred at about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, on E. Belmont Avenue and North First Street. Fresno Action News reported the 30-year-old man was thrown about fifty feet following the impact. The driver of the vehicle that struck him did not stay at the scene. Fresno Police said they found the suspect's vehicle several blocks away, but did not find the driver.

Please keep the victim in your prayers as he has suffered very serious injuries. We hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery, and that the driver is located quickly or turns himself or herself in.

Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law. Under the California vehicle code, any accident that involves injury or death mandates that the driver must stop. When a driver leaves the scene of an accident causing property damage, injury or death, the incident is called a hit and run. Often, the party leaving the scene is the at-fault party, but not always. A hit and run can be either a criminal misdemeanor or felony, depending on the seriousness of accident and extent of injuries. The family of the man injured in this accident would be well-advised to consult with a Fresno pedestrian accident attorney for more information about the man's legal rights to compensation. If the driver is not located, the injured man may be able to obtain monetary damages for his injuries from his own insurance policy, if he has one.

Continue reading "Fresno Man Critically Injured in Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident " »

One person was killed and three people were injured in an unsafe passing accident on Highway 395 near Barstow. At about 8:15 p.m. Friday, Maureen Fisher, 50, of San Diego was driving northbound on Highway 395 near mile post marker 61 in Rural Helendale. An SUV passed her 2005 Honda Odyssey on the left.

Meanwhile, Justin Chang, 23, of Hacienda Heights was driving southbound. He swerved off the highway to avoid the oncoming SUV and then into the northbound lane of Highway 395. His 2007 Toyota Scion was then broadsided by Fisher's Honda Odyssey. The SUV that caused the collision was not struck, and did not stop at the scene. Justin Chang died at the scene of the crash. Fisher, and her two passengers, an 18-year-old and a 14-year-old, were all injured and taken to nearby hospitals. The California Highway Patrol is investigating this multi-vehicle accident.

Not stopping at the scene of an accident that you were a party to is against the law. Under the California Vehicle Code § 20001, "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." It does not matter that the driver of the SUV did not physically collide with either of the two vehicles. He or she had a responsibility to stop at the scene. This driver could be facing hit and run and even possibly vehicular manslaughter charges. He or she is urged to contact law enforcement officials as soon as possible.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Injured in Hwy 395 Crash January 15 Near Barstow " »

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the death of a man who was killed while walking on the side of Highway 1 last week near California State University Monterey Bay. The pedestrian, identified as David Armstrong, 50, of Seaside, was walking on the northbound side of Highway 1, north of Light Fighter Drive just before 8:30 p.m., when he was struck by a passing vehicle. Armstrong was then struck again by several other vehicles and died at the scene of the crash.

The CHP is attempting to identify all vehicles involved in the fatal hit-and-run accident. Several motorists contacted the CHP on Friday and said they had struck something but could not identify what it was. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. We hope that law enforcement will be able to identify the vehicle that struck David Armstrong, and understand the facts surrounding this tragic accident. Leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is against the law, and there are no exceptions. According to Section 20002 of the California Vehicle code, [a] driver must stop and locate owner or person in charge and exchange driver documentation. If owner of damaged property cannot be located, the driver is not permitted to leave the scene of the accident until the following actions have been completed:a) Leave a note with facts surrounding the case and driver documentation information; or b) Report the accident to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or local police." In this case, the driver should have stopped at the scene.

Continue reading "Seaside Man Struck and Killed on Highway 1 in Monterey County" »