A hit-and-run crash on an Orange County freeway the morning of August 6, 2010, caused injuries to a motorcyclist. The Orange County Register reports that the injury crash occurred when the motorcyclist was struck by a large commercial truck on the southbound 405 freeway near the 73 Freeway onramp. The truck that hit the motorcyclist did not stop and left the scene of the accident. It is not clear how badly the motorcyclist was injured. An investigation is underway.
I sincerely hope the motorcyclist did not sustain catastrophic injuries as a result of this crash. I pray that he has a swift and full recovery.
Car Accidents
There were six deaths and 785 injuries involving car accidents in Costa Mesa, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
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." Motorists are required to remain on the scene irrespective of who was at fault for the crash.
Liability Issues
Hit-and-run victims are often faced with escalating medical bills and severe financial strain due to loss of wages. I trust the truck driver in this case will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. The truck driver and his or her employer can also be held civilly liable for the victim's injuries here.
In such cases, victims would be well-advised to contact a reputed Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will ensure that their rights are protected and that they are fairly compensated for their injuries, damages and losses.
A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run accident, or to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to injured victims and their families.
Do you believe that penalties for hit-and-run drivers are significant enough to deter motorists from leaving the scene of an accident?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
