Northern California Hit and Run Accident Attorneys
Northern California Hit-and-Run Accident Injuries
According to a major research report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly one in five pedestrians (18%) killed on America's roadways is the victim of a hit-and-run. In California, it is estimated that as many as one million unlicensed drivers get behind the wheel every day. When these drivers cause accidents due to their own negligence, rather than face the consequences of breaking the law for driving without a license or driving with a suspended or revoked license, they may flee the scene, leaving a victim to suffer or die in the middle of a street.
You can protect yourself and your family from the financial devastation of a hit-and-run accident or accident caused by an uninsured driver by always carrying uninsured /underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This coverage protects you if you are injured in an accident caused by a driver with no insurance, a driver with insufficient insurance for you injuries, or a hit-and-run driver. If you or a family member is the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you should contact a hit-and-run accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights to compensation in a personal injury claim.
What is the Law Pertaining to Hit-and-Run Accidents?
Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20003 (Duty to Stop at Scene of Accident), "The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to any person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident and shall fulfill the requirements of Sections 20003 and 20004."
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20003 (Duty Upon Injury or Death), "The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall also give his or her name, current residence address, the names and current residence addresses of any occupant of the driver's vehicle injured in the accident, the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, and the name and current residence address of the owner to the person struck or the driver or occupants of any vehicle collided with, and shall give the information to any traffic or police officer at the scene of the accident. The driver also shall render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including transporting, or making arrangements for transporting, any injured person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if that transportation is requested by any injured person."
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability Hit and Run Accidents
In addition to criminal charges, a hit-and-run driver may also be held civilly accountable for a victim's injuries or death in an accident. In some cases, punitive damages may also be award in addition to damages for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. In the event a driver is not located, a victim of a hit-and-run accident may recover compensation from his or her own uninsured motorist policy.
Personal Injury Lawyers Ready to Help You
If you have been injured, or if a loved one has died in a hit-and-run accident, contact the Northern California traffic accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger for a free consultation. We have successfully recovered compensation for dozens of victims of hit-and-run accidents, including claims against hit-and-run drivers who have been located, as well as claims against a victim's own uninsured motorist policy. Our personal injury lawyers are available to discuss your potential case and answer all of your questions over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.