Hit-and-Run Driver on Fruitridge Road Causes Pedestrian Fatality
A hit-and-run driver in Sacramento caused a pedestrian fatality on October 18. The collision happened around 6:00 a.m. along Fruitridge Road near 65th and 66th streets near the county cemetery. Officers with the Sacramento Police Department believe the fleeing motorist was going east along Fruitridge Road when the collision occurred.
Witnesses Asked to Call Police With Information About Hit-and-Run Driver
Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact police with any information at (916) 808-5471. The identity of the deceased pedestrian will not be released until the county coroner’s office has notified the family.
Accidents Involving a Hit-and-Run
According to the California Office of Public Safety in Sacramento County, 963 fatalities and injury crashes occurred involving a fleeing driver. A driver who flees the scene usually knows they were negligent by leaving the scene of an accident, especially one that resulted in an injury or fatality. Often, these drivers either have no license or insurance or have been drinking or negligent in another way. By finding these drivers, they can be held responsible for their actions.
Finding a Fleeing Driver
Police are sometimes successful in locating a fleeing driver; however, not constantly. Another way to locate the driver is to use a law firm with the resources and experience to locate hit-and-run drivers. Over the years, our law firm investigators have successfully found a number of these fleeing drivers so that they can face their responsibilities.
Investigating an Accident With a Hit-and-Run Driver
In investigating an accident where the driver fled, we first visited the site where it happened. The area is photographed, including searching for paint smears or dropped pieces of metal or plastic. This could help identify the make and model of the vehicle. The police report is checked for helpful information and to ensure its accuracy.
Area surveillance cameras from traffic lights and businesses are checked because sometimes an accident is captured on film. Accident reconstruction may be performed in some cases. Checking body shops may also be helpful to see if anyone brought in a car that showed suspicious damage.
Wrongful Death Claims and Recoverable Damages
If the driver of the vehicle is located, they can be held liable for the following if the family of the deceased files a wrongful death claim. Wages the deceased would have earned until retirement can be recovered, including compensation for their insurance and pension benefits. The spouse may recover compensation for losing moral support, consortium, and affection. The cost of the funeral and burial expenses is recoverable. Children in the family may be compensated for losing their parent’s guidance.
Insurance Coverage Can Be Used to Recover Wrongful Death Damages
A hit-and-run driver cannot be located in all instances. However, if the deceased carried uninsured/underinsured coverage for their auto, that can be used to recoup some of the financial loss. If the decedent didn’t carry this add-on insurance policy but another family member has it, theirs can be used instead. Premium rates in the future remain unaffected.
The following tips will help you choose a good lawyer, based on some advice from attorney Ed Smith:
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith. I’m a personal injury lawyer in California. Call us at (916) 921-6400 if you would like free, friendly advice from one of our accident attorneys on whether you can file a wrongful death claim. We can also be reached either at (800) 404-5400 or by connecting with us online. We offer a free case review in which you can discuss your case, ask questions, and discover options to recover damages. For additional information about our firm, see reviews on Yelp or Google.
Photo attribution: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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