Police in San Bernardino County are looking for a hit-and-run driver who they say struck and injured an 8-year-old boy in Muscoy. CBS News reports that the accident occurred at the intersection of Ogden Street and Otono Court. The boy was trying to cross the street when he was struck. The hit-and-run vehicle has been described as a 1990s silver or tan Chevrolet Silverado crew cab truck with magnetic signage on the side.
I sympathize with the injured victim and his family for what they are going through at this time. I hope the boy has not sustained catastrophic injuries and pray for his speedy and complete recovery.
Hit-and-Run Statistics
According to the California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics, there were 17,158 hit-and-run collisions that resulted in fatalities or injuries in California in 2008. A majority of these car accidents involved injuries. There were a total of 247 deaths in 2008 involving hit-and-run collisions statewide.
Accident Laws
According to California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) : "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." In this case, it appears that the boy was crossing at an intersection. It is not clear if the driver of the pickup failed to yield right-of-way to the pedestrian crossing the street.
California Vehicle Code section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."
Compensation Issues
In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing is apparent, it would be in the best interests of injured victims or their families to seek the counsel of a reputed San Bernardino personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights are protected.
Are there intersections in your neighborhood that are unsafe for children to cross?
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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