Hit and Run Accident on State Route 51 in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento auto accident attorney. A two-vehicle collision at California State Route 51 northbound in South Sacramento on July 14 resulted in an injury to one person in what was referred to as a felony hit and run accident. The injured individual was transferred to Kaiser Permanente for further treatment. No information was provided on the extent of the injury. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be investigating the crash to determine the cause.
Accident Details
The accident happened at around 7:43 in the morning near the H Street off-ramp, just south of the bridge when a Pontiac G5 was involved in a crash with a Subaru. According to the CHP, both vehicles were in the center divider and blocking lane one. However, shortly after that, the cars were moved to the right-hand side to open traffic for other motorists. Both vehicles were at the scene of the collision, and it is unknown at this time whether the driver of one of the cars fled on foot. A tow truck was called to remove one of the vehicles, while a relative of the individual in the other car arrived to take that vehicle.
The incidence of Hit and Run Accidents
The number of hit and run accidents is increasing nationwide. There were 467 hit and run accidents in Sacramento in 2015, the last date the California Office of Traffic Safety published statistics. An investigative team in California found that a hit and run accident occurs on a daily interval of one every quarter of an hour. Many such accidents involve injuries, but even more, do not. The vast majority are crashes where another vehicle or property is damaged.
Why Do Motorists Leave the Scene of an Accident
There are many reasons a driver fails to stop or abandons his or her vehicle and escapes on foot. The driver may be afraid of the consequences of the accident, mainly if it was their fault. Other reasons include the possibility that the person driving the vehicle may be impaired and does not want that to be known. Some even run initially, wait until the alcohol content in their blood disappears and then come forward. Others may be driving a motor vehicle with a suspended or expired license, an out-of-date registration or invalid plates. Still, others may have stolen the car and do not want to get caught. Quite a few of those who leave the scene are young drivers.
Definition of a Hit and Run
Any driver who does not remain at the scene of an accident and leaves without providing contact information and offering assistance can be classified as a hit and run driver. When only property is damaged, it is categorized as a misdemeanor. However, when an individual is hurt in an accident or killed, the penalties for leaving the scene increase, and in some cases, become a felony charge. To be charged with a hit and run, it does not matter if the driver was at fault or not.
What a Motorist Should Do
If a driver is involved in a hit and run, there are things he or she should do. It is essential to amass information at the scene that may assist law enforcement in catching the fleeing driver.
If possible, take a photo of the vehicle as it is leaving. This is the most helpful thing that can be done. When the car leaves before it is possible to photograph it:
- Take a photo of any damage to your vehicle. The impact zone may have evidence of the color of the other vehicle if some of the paint rubbed off in the collision.
- Write down the license plate number if possible. Even part of the number may help police identify the vehicle.
- If you saw the driver, even for just a moment, note any distinguishing features.
Sacramento Auto Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento auto accident attorney. When you or a loved one is hurt in a traffic accident, you have the right to be compensated for the financial loss your injuries caused. Reach out to me at (916) 921-6400 in Sacramento or (800) 404-5400 if the call is long-distance. I will give you free and friendly advice.
I’ve been helping residents of Sacramento and Northern California for over 36 years obtain monetary compensation for their accident injuries, including traumatic brain injury and wrongful death.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Forum. We are a nationwide group of top-ranking lawyers who have won a client a settlement or trial verdict in excess of $1 million.
If you would like to know more about my practice, check out client and peer reviews and the ways I resolved prior cases at the following links:
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