Fleeing Driver Involved in Lincoln Highway Collision
A hit and run collision occurred in Rosemont on April 6 that left one person with injuries. The accident occurred around 10:50 in the morning along Lincoln Highway at the Bradshaw Road exit ramp between a Toyota Prius, a gray sedan and a white utility truck. According to the report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the white utility truck hit the Prius, causing the latter to swerve across all the lanes and crash into a wall.
The driver of another vehicle, identified as a gray sedan, also swerved, lost control and slid off a hill onto the right-hand side of the road. The injured party was evaluated at the scene. There is no word as yet by authorities as to the person’s condition.
The CHP will be investigating the accident to determine why it occurred. An association between speeding or intoxication has not been made by the investigating officers. The authorities are also looking for the driver of the utility truck as a person of interest in the hit and run collision.
Common Hit and Run Collisions
Even though a driver who hits another vehicle and injuries someone can be charged with a felony and incur significant fines, this type of accident continues to happen. Some of the common reasons are listed below:
- Drunk drivers: Motorists who are inebriated when an accident happens are afraid they will be charged with a DUI.
- Driving under the influence of drugs: Drivers who used drugs before driving are also worried they will be charged with a drug offense.
- Driving without a license or registration: Drivers who do not have a license or have not registered their vehicles in California are driving illegally. Their vehicle might be impounded, and they could face significant fines.
- Fear: Some drivers panic after being in an accident and just leave the scene.
- Higher insurance costs: Some motorists worry that if they are liable for an accident, they will face increased insurance premiums.
Who Pays for Damages in a Hit and Run Collision?
People who were injured in a hit and run accident often worry about how they will pay for medical care and lost wages when the at-fault driver flees the scene. This is a valid concern but one that a car accident lawyer can help you with. At our firm, we do all we can to locate the fleeing driver. Our investigators will canvass the area to see if anyone has information about the driver or the vehicle. We speak to witnesses who saw the hit and run collision.
This is an important avenue of evidence since a bystander may have seen the license plate number (or part of it) and distinguishing features of the vehicle. These include decals, color, make and model of the vehicle used by the perpetrator. Many times, the fleeing driver lives nearby the accident scene, so neighbors may be vital to the investigation.
What If the Driver Cannot Be Located?
Even if the driver cannot be found, there are ways to obtain the damages the injured party deserves. One is to use the underinsured/uninsured vehicle insurance every driver is offered when they purchase a policy. Even if the injured party refused this add-on policy, they may still be covered. If anyone who lives with them has this coverage, the injured party can use their uninsured insurance to cover the damages. The good news is that their insurance premiums will not rise.
How Our Firm Investigates an Accident
Aside from looking for the hit and run driver, our investigators find evidence that is pertinent to the crash. They will obtain videos from traffic surveillance cameras and those on nearby businesses to see the accident in real-time. Our investigators also review police reports for mistakes. They will use accident reconstruction techniques to show the placement of the vehicles before, during and after the hit and run collision. Once all the evidence is gathered, the investigators send it to our lawyers who use it to build a strong case for our clients.
Rosemont Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Rosemont car accident lawyer. If you are involved in a hit and run collision, I can give you free and friendly advice. Just call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400, or reach out to me online.
I’ve helped Rosemont residents since 1982 in traumatic brain injuries, bicycle accidents and wrongful death cases.
I am proud to be a member of the following organizations:
Learn more about my practice at the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/crash-car-car-crash-accident-1308575/
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