California Injury Blog
A woman suffered major injuries in a Los Angeles car accident, after a tractor-trailer struck her and fled the scene. According to a news report in The Walnut Patch, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Temple Avenue, the morning of March 13, 2012.
Officials say the woman was walking eastbound on Valley and crossing the intersection in a marked crosswalk with a green light when the tractor-trailer, exiting the 605 Freeway, failed to yield for the pedestrian. The big rig struck the victim and then pushed and dragged her for approximately 20 feet. The truck driver did not stop, but kept going eastbound on Valley Boulevard. The woman suffered major head and internal injuries. Officials are still looking for the hit-and-run driver and vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact officials at 626-338-1164.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured hit-and-run car accident victim. I wish her the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Hit-and-Run Collisions
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 185 people died and 20,260 were injured in California as a result of hit-and-run car accidents. Of those 88 deaths and 2,127 injuries involved pedestrian accidents.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
If the details of this news report are accurate, the driver of the tractor-trailer not only struck the pedestrian who was legally walking in a crosswalk, but also dragged her 20 feet and left her lying on the roadway, exposed to further danger. Appalling! It is not clear if the truck driver knew that he or she had hit a pedestrian. It is an inhumane and irresponsible act to leave the scene of an injury accident, as well as illegal under California law.
California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: “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 addition, this truck driver also violated California Vehicle Code Section 21950 by failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Holding Wrongdoers Accountable
I certainly hope that this hit-and-run driver is apprehended and brought to justice. If you have any information, please visit our web site at www.hitandrunreward.com to offer an anonymous tip and become eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.
Injured victims of hit-and-run collisions would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. In this case, if the truck driver is identified, both the driver and his or her employer can be held liable. If it is determined that a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the accident, the governmental entity in charge of maintaining that roadway can also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.