Hit-and-Run Accident

The Los Angeles Police Department is reporting that the city saw 20,000 hit-and-run crashes in 2012, gaining the dubious distinction of being the “hit-and-run capital of the nation.” According to a news report in NBC Los Angeles, out of the 20,000 pedestrians, bicyclists or other motorists who were involved in hit-and-run collisions, 4,000 were injured or killed. Two Los Angeles city councilmen have asked LAPD to explain what it is doing to curb this hit-and-run epidemic.

How Do We Eradicate Hit-and-Run Crashes?

Councilman Mitchell Englander says he is working on a strategy to crack down on drivers who flee the scene of a crash by toughening the law. He is calling for mandatory vehicle impounds of hit-and-run vehicles. How bad is the situation in Los Angeles? Nationwide, 11 percent of all traffic collisions involve a hit-and-run driver. In Los Angeles, hit-and-run incidents account for 48 percent – nearly half – of all reported traffic accidents.

Last week, California Assemblyman Mike Gatto introduced legislation extending the statute of limitations for hit-and-run offenses to three years from the date of the offense or one year after the suspect is identified by law enforcement, whichever is later. Similar legislation has been passed for other crimes such as clergy abuse. Such a law, Gatto hopes, will help hold hit-and-run drivers accountable, thereby giving a sense of justice and closure to victims and their families.

The Hit-and-Run Reward Program

The California personal injury law firm of Bisnar | Chase has an ongoing Hit-and-Run Reward Program, which offers a $1,000 for any tip that leads to the arrest and felony conviction of a hit-and-run driver. Anyone who has a tip on a hit-and-run case can leave it anonymously on our website, www.hitandrunreward.com. This is our way of partnering with the community and local law enforcement officials to put hit-and-run drivers on notice and offer an incentive to hold these wrongdoers accountable. 

Los Angeles hit-and-run victims and their families suffer significantly after the incident because they are left to face all the emotional and financial burdens with no one to hold accountable. Victims and their families in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced  personal injury lawyer who will remain on their side, fight for their rights and help ensure that they are fairly compensated for their significant losses.

Maria Hernandez, 60, was killed in a Garden Grove hit and run. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal hit and run collision occurred the morning of December 5, 2012 at the intersection of Katella Avenue and Gilbert Street. Hernandez was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk pushing an unoccupied wheelchair. A yellow, taxi minivan, which was westbound and doing 40 mph hit the woman and fled the scene.

Officials suspect that Hernandez was crossing against the light and that the taxi had the green light at the time. Hernandez was transported to a local trauma center where she died from her injuries. Police are still looking for the hit and run taxi and its driver. Anyone with information is asked to call California Highway Patrol officials at 949-559-7888.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Maria Hernandez for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

Three people died and 44 were injured as a result of Garden Grove pedestrian accidents in 2010, the California Highway Patrol reports. During the same year, 32 fatalities and 770 injuries were reported due to pedestrian accidents in Orange County.

Violation of Laws

Based on this news article, it appears that the taxi struck Hernandez who was attempting to cross the roadway in a marked crosswalk. 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.”

Regardless of the circumstances of the accident, the law requires motorists involved to stop immediately and remain at the scene, especially when someone has been injured or killed. Motorists are required to exchange information with other parties involved in the crash and most importantly, get help for injured victims. In this particular case, the motorist decided to drive away, leaving the critically injured victim lying on the roadway without care or medical attention. Unconscionable!

Holding Hit-and-Run Drivers Accountable

I certainly hope that the hit and run driver in this case is apprehended and brought to justice. If you saw this incident or have information about it, please visit our dedicated hit-and-run website at www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and become eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.

Families of deceased hit-and-run victims have rights and deserve just compensation. An experienced Garden Grove personal injury lawyer will be able to stay on top of the official investigation and protect their rights. A knowledgeable attorney will be able to explain how the family’s auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run crash or in a case where the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured.

A 7-year-old girl suffered major injuries in a hit-and-run car accident in Santa Ana after an SUV struck her. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred in the 400 block of South Birch Street, the evening of December 4, 2012. Police say the girl was walking with her mother when she suddenly darted out into the street. She was struck by a dark-colored SUV and dragged about 15 yards. The girl suffered injuries to her head and body and was transported to an area hospital. She is expected to survive. The driver of the SUV fled the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the young victim of this hit-and-run crash. I wish her the very best for a quick and full recovery.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were six deaths and 134 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Santa Ana, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). During the same year, 32 people died and 770 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents countywide.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Based on this news account, the SUV’s driver struck the little girl who darted across the roadway, dragged her for a short distance and then drove away leaving her injured and lying on the street. Appalling! Leaving the scene of an injury car accident is not only inhumane and irresponsible, but also illegal. According to California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), motorists are required to stop and remain at the scene of an accident, regardless of who was at fault. In addition, they must exchange pertinent information and help the victim obtain assistance. This could be something as simple as calling 911 so the victim gets timely help. However, in this case, the driver chose to do none of the above.

Protecting Victims’ Rights

Victims of hit-and-run collisions or their families would be well advised to contact an experienced injury attorney in Santa Ana, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. If a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the incident.

An 11-year-old boy and a woman suffered injuries in a Los Angeles car accident on Halloween night, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver. According to an NBC news account, the collision occurred at the intersection of East 92nd Street and Beach Street in Watts, the night of October 31, 2012.

Police say the victims were both wearing Halloween costumes and crossing the road when a silver Suzuki struck them and left the scene. Both were hospitalized, but the nature and extent of their injuries is not known. The car was found nearby with candy still on its damaged hood. Officials are trying to locate the driver. Anyone with information is asked to contact California Highway Patrol officials at 310-516-3355. Read the rest »

Ramon Celaya, 20, died from injuries sustained in a Riverside car accident, which officials say was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the DUI crash occurred the night of September 29, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials say Celaya was driving along Highway 74 near Winchester Road. At the time, 26-year-old Edilberto Sixtos was fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run collision when he crossed over the double yellow line and veered into Celaya’s Toyota Tacoma.

Celaya, Sixtos and two teenagers were transported to an area hospital with major injuries. Sixtos was arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run causing injury. Celaya died from his injuries the evening of October 2, 2012. Officials expect to file more charges against Sixtos in connection with the fatal collision.

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Alcides Flores-Landaverde, 23, was killed in a Hemet car accident, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a news account in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal crash occurred early morning on September 11, 2012 near the intersection of Florida Avenue and Juanita Street in downtown Hemet. Flores-Landaverde’s body was found in the street.

Police have released more information about the pickup truck that hit the victim and drove away from the scene. Evidence found at the scene indicates that the vehicle was probably a silver 2000 to 2004 Nissan Frontier that likely has front-end damage and chipped paint. Images supplied by the department also show a license plate trim with shark’s tooth spikes. The front grill of the vehicle was broken off and left at the scene. The pickup was last seen heading west on Florida Avenue. Anyone with information about this fatal hit-and-run car accident is urged to contact Hemet police at 951-765-2433 and refer to file number 12-900267.

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