A hit-and-run driver causes serious injury to a pedestrian in San Diego.
San Diego – February 15, 2021
A pedestrian was seriously hurt in a hit-and-run crash in southeastern San Diego on Monday night according to law enforcement officials. A red Ford Expedition crashed into a man near Jamacha Road and Cardiff Street on Monday evening. The SUV left the scene heading westbound on Carlisle drive. Hit-and-run accidents in California are serious and carry criminal charges. California personal injury attorneys research case specifics to determine if negligence was the cause of accident that caused personal injury to the pedestrian.
Pedestrian dangers.
In the United States, pedestrian fatalities are still very high with recent data revealing 6,590 pedestrian deaths on U.S. roads in 2019, which is a 5% increase from 2018. Smartphones and increased levels of technological distraction, have become familiar driver distractions in the U.S. endangering pedestrians. California has had distracted driving laws in place for over ten years now and those laws support damage claims when a driver’s use of a cell phone plays a major role in a vehicle accident. The 2016 Assembly Bill 1785 was meant to discourage drivers from holding an electronic device while operating a vehicle. DUI laws are also involved when a person hits a pedestrian while under the influence. After the driver is identified from this incident, it will be necessary to see if the negligence stemmed from distracted driving, DUI, or some other driver negligence. Victims should talk with legal counsel regarding the impact of negligent hit-and-run driving claims.
Damages.
A California lawyer can explain legal action toward damage recovery that may cover:
- Economic damages for present and future loss of earnings, medical bills, future medical care, household expenses and
- Non-economic damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of consortium or companionship.
Car Insurance and driver liability.
California is considered a fault, or tort state with regard to motor vehicle accidents and the law requires that drivers have a way to cover costs related to damages or injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident. Under California law, everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury, or wrongful death occurrence during the course of ordinary care. When a driver causes injury and leaves the scene, it may be easier to prove negligence in favor of the victim. An experienced accident attorney can assist in the process of determining negligence of drivers.
Hire an attorney.
Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates can be instrumental in legal action toward damage recovery after a hit-and-run accident leaves a victim with expenses, and life changes they did not anticipate. When criminal actions such as leaving the scene are involved, legal counsel can assist with the criminal components bearing on the civil action.
Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, a Professional Law Corporation
501 West Broadway, Suite 1650
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-233-8021
Fax: 619-233-3730
Sources.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/story/2021-02-15/pedestrian-seriously-hurt-in-hit-and-run-crash-in-southeastern-san-diego
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/insurance-requirements/
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB1785
