Hit and Run Accident in Modesto
A hit and run driver in Modesto seriously injured a pedestrian near a local bar on September 14. According to the Modesto Police Department, the accident injured Jonah Johnson, age 27, as he was crossing the street near the Tiki Lounge, located on McHenry Avenue. Johnson was there celebrating Pride with friends. Initially, he was listed as being in critical condition but expected to survive. Johnson was released from the intensive care unit at the hospital on Monday.
Witnesses Were at the Accident Scene
A friend of Johnson’s, Mike Craven, said he wasn’t with Johnson when the pedestrian accident happened, but he knew someone who was. That man said he heard a thump, turned and spotted Johnson up in the air. Craven asked the hit and run driver who was involved in the accident to turn himself in.
Information About the Driver
Investigators at the crash site said that, according to witnesses, the vehicle involved in the hit and run was a mid-2000s, red, full-sized pickup truck. Modesto police are requesting that anyone with information about the accident call them.
Hit and Run Drivers
Hit and run accidents are common in California. Drivers are often afraid to stop, especially if they have been drinking or using drugs. Some do not have a valid license or car insurance while others are driving in an unregistered vehicle. Regardless of the reason, it is illegal to flee after an accident. Witnesses are often able to help identify the vehicle. Things that help catch a fleeing driver after a hit and run crash include:
- The color and model of the car
- Any identifying stickers on the vehicle
- A description of the driver
- The license plate number or even part of it
- The direction of the vehicle when it left
Being Reimbursed for Damages in a Hit and Run Case
Generally, damages are paid by the at-fault driver or his or her insurance company. This is not always possible. For instance, if the driver flees the accident scene and is not apprehended, the injured party needs to look to other ways to be compensated. One way of doing this is to use their own uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage. California insurance companies must offer clients this coverage. While the driver is free to refuse, they must sign a waiver if they wish to do so. However, many drivers take the offer since there are numerous uninsured/underinsured drivers in the state.
How Does This Help in a Hit and Run Case?
Individuals injured by a fleeing driver have the option of using their own uninsured motorist protection. Uninsured insurance also covers pedestrians and cyclists. They have a time limit of two years to do so. Once the claim is filed, they might be reimbursed up to the limit of their own liability insurance. In the event that they do not have a car and live with a family member who does and has uninsured coverage, they can use the other person’s insurance. Fortunately, car insurance rates are not increased when this happens.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Our firm understands the stress you feel after an accident. We work hard to obtain the compensation you deserve. In order to do that, we send our investigators to the scene of the accident. They scour the area for clues as to why the crash happened. In the case of a fleeing driver, we also use a protocol we established some time ago to help identify him or her. Our investigators also look for video footage from traffic lights or nearby businesses that captured the accident. They also interview witnesses and review police reports for mistakes. Once this is done, we turn the data over to our legal team who use it to build a strong case in your favor.
Company Vehicles
Sometimes a pedestrian is hit by a company vehicle. It is easier to identify such vehicles, and companies will be able to pin down who was driving or if the vehicle was damaged. In this case, providing the driver was working at the time, the company is liable for their employee’s negligence.
Modesto Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury lawyer. Pedestrian accidents occur often in Modesto County due to negligent drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent motorist, I am here to offer you my free and friendly advice. You can contact me at (209) 227-1931 or through my toll-free number at (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is also available, and I will get back to you promptly.
For client reviews and cases handled by my law firm, visit the following pages:
I’m honored to have helped many residents of Modesto over my 37 years as an injury lawyer to assist them in obtaining the personal injury damages they deserve. Areas I specialize in include traffic collisions, wrongful deaths, and injuries that result in trauma.
I’m a proud member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and Million Dollar Forum, among others. The NADC awards membership to lawyers who are recognized as upholding the highest excellence in the legal profession. Million Dollar Forum is a group for lawyers who’ve won in excess of $1 million for a client.
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