Northern California Pedestrian Hit and Run Accident Attorneys
Pedestrian Hit and Run Accidents
Walking is both a healthy and economical method of transportation, but it has potentially serious disadvantages, especially in urban areas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,092 pedestrians were killed and approximately 59,000 were injured in U.S. traffic accidents. In California alone, there are approximately 700 fatal pedestrian accidents each year. Some of the more serious, and complicated, Northern California pedestrian crashes involve hit and run drivers.
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001, Duty to Stop at Scene of Accident, "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 and shall fulfill the requirements of Sections 20003 and 20004." Sections 20003 and 20004 concern notifying authorities and reporting the accident. Failure to comply with any of these requirements can result in imprisonment in the state prison, or in a county jail, or a minimum $1,000 fine, or both.
The NHTSA determined that hit and run pedestrian accidents account for 15 to 19 percent of pedestrian crashes across the country. California is a densely populated state with several high population cities, such as San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno in Northern California. As a result, the percentage of Northern California hit and run pedestrian accidents would be very similar to the national 15 to 19 percent.
Causes of Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents
The causes of pedestrian accidents, where the motorist stops, and the causes of a hit and run pedestrian accident are distinctive. Most pedestrian accidents involve a driver who was inattentive, suffered from obscured vision, or was otherwise distracted, and in the majority of these cases, the driver stops once they’ve realized they hit someone. Hit and run pedestrian accidents are most often the result of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and occasionally the result of speeding, reckless driving, or even a motorist being uninsured or underinsured. Irrationality, reckless inattention, and fear are what cause the majority of Northern California hit and run pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
Results of Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents
The possible physical injuries caused by a hit and run pedestrian crash are the same as those caused by other pedestrian crashes; these injuries can include:
- Bruises
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries and
- Spinal cord injuries
Mental and emotional distress is also common for a pedestrian accident victim as well as his or her loved ones.
It is what happens after the accident that makes a Northern California hit and run pedestrian crash more complicated. In a typical case of a pedestrian traffic accident, the victim can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver with a Northern California personal injury attorney in order to receive compensation for financial and/or emotional losses. However, in a hit and run case, the at-fault party flees the scene of the accident and may never be identified or held responsible. A Northern California hit and run victim may file a claim with their insurance company for medical compensation, but this can also become complicated. A knowledgeable Northern California hit and run pedestrian accident lawyer can advise you through the complexities of a hit and run personal injury claim.
Successful Hit and Run Legal Action
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Northern California hit and run pedestrian accident, the first course of action, after any immediate medical treatment, is contacting an attorney. The Northern California hit and run pedestrian accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger have years of experience with complex hit and run cases and are dedicated to attaining just compensation for hit and run victims and their families. We provide free consultations with no obligation to use our services. Call us today at (800) 890-6722.