An October 31, 2009 Orange County car accident has left a 62-year-old wheelchair-bound man with severe injuries after a hit-and run driver struck him, reports The Orange County Register. The accident happened near the street intersection of North Lacy Street and Wellington Avenue in Santa Ana, California when a large white van traveling west on Wellington struck the man. The man in the wheelchair who has not been identified yet, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The driver of the van fled the crash site. The vehicle should have front-end damage, officials said. Santa Ana police still need the public's help in finding the hit-and-run suspect and are asking witnesses to this pedestrian accident or those with more information about the collision to contact them at 714-245-8701.
My thoughts and prayers go out to this unfortunate victim. I sincerely hope he will get over his injuries and recover completely. This is a truly deplorable situation where a motorist first hits a wheelchair-bound man and then has no qualms leaving the handicapped man critically injured and on the street. I trust officials will soon track down and apprehend this suspect and file criminal charges in the case.
California Vehicle Codes Concerning Hit-and-Run
California Vehicle Code section 20001 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."
If this hit-and-run driver is determined to be responsible for causing the accident and the injuries to the man in the wheel chair then he must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. If I were a family member of this victim I'd certainly want the driver responsible for leaving the injury accident held criminally as well civilly accountable for his actions. What he did was not only a serious crime under California law but also an inhumane and appalling act.
Consulting With A California Personal Injury Attorney
We do not know yet, from this account, where the victim was at the time of the collision. It is possible he was operating the wheelchair on the roadway or crossing the street. It is important to find out in this case if he was in a crosswalk or at a street intersection. California Vehicle Code 467(a) gives the wheelchair user the same rights and restrictions as someone walking along a roadway.
It is always in the best interest of car accident victims to seek the assistance of a reputed California law firm who will examine their case closely and explain the legal rights and options that are available to them. In this case, the family of the victim should consult with a skilled Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will explore all the factors that may have been responsible for the accident and pursue the negligent parties. A knowledgeable attorney should help the family seek compensation for the injuries and losses through the uninsured/underinsured coverage of their car insurance policy.
