California Injury Blog
A man in his late 20s was struck and killed in a hit-and-run collision the morning of July 1 on La Cienega Boulevard near the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. According to a City News Service report, the crash was reported on La Cienega at Imperial Highway. Police said the man was crossing La Cienega when he was struck by a vehicle that was southbound. The driver did not stop and kept going, officials said.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The hit-and-run vehicle was described as a white recreational vehicle or camper, police said. No driver description was available. Anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver or the vehicle is asked to contact West Traffic Division detectives at 213-473-0234. The investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Violation of Laws
Based on this news report, it appears that the camper struck the pedestrian, who officials say, may have been walking outside of the crosswalk at the time. California Vehicle Code Section 21954 states: “Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.” The same section also states: “The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway.”
However, regardless of where the pedestrian was walking at the time, the driver had a responsibility under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) to stop immediately at the scene of the crash and render aid to the victim. In this case, the driver neither stopped nor rendered aid to the critically injured victim who later succumbed to his injuries. Drivers are required to stop and remain at the scene regardless of whose fault they believe the accident was at the time.
Liability Issues
As Los Angeles car accident lawyers who represent victims of hit-and-run crashes, we see first-hand, the physical, emotional, and financial devastation these incidents cause. Families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles hit-and-run lawyer to better understand their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise families about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run case or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://kfiam640.iheart.com/content/2021-07-01-man-killed-in-hit-and-run-crash-on-la-cienega-boulevard/