[08-17-2022] Orange County, CA – 67-Year-Old Man Fatally Struck After a Bicycle Crash in Fullerton

According to the police, a 67-year-old bicyclist was struck by a car and killed in Fullerton on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

The police were called around 5:07 a.m. at Chapman Avenue and Ladera Vista Drive.

According to police officer Radus, the bicyclist may have been hit by a Ford F-250. The hit-and-run car struck the cyclist behind, knocking him into the brick planter.

The car continued to travel while leaving pieces behind as it crossed the sidewalk. Police were investigating whether the pickup truck with the missing wheel was responsible for the hit-and-run.

Officers were called by a witness who had followed a green 1999 Ford F-250 heading west on Chapman near Berkeley Avenue with a tire missing but still moving. The pickup’s driver got out and fled after the witness followed him to Delphine Place and Jacaranda Place.

The pickup’s driver was a stocky, Latino man who stood about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and dressed in all-black.

According to a written statement by the Fullerton Police Department, the driver who struck was later discovered in a brick planter on the north side of the street.

The victim was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.

Anyone with information was urged to contact Joshua Manes at joshua.manes@fullertonpd.org or by phone at 714-738-6812.

Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

Every state has laws governing hit-and-run accidents. A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in an accident with a pedestrian, another car, or a fixed object flees the scene without identifying herself or providing assistance to anyone in need. In most cases, the fault is not included in the hit-and-run definition. The driver violates the law when they leave the scene of an accident, regardless of fault. However, most states temporarily allow a driver to leave the scene to seek emergency assistance.

Fines and jail time are possible penalties for leaving the scene of an accident, which can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. Furthermore, a driver who flees the scene of an accident may have his license suspended.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 737,100 hit-and-run accidents in 2016. Every 43 seconds, a hit-and-run accident occurs somewhere in the United States.

Hit-and-run accidents contribute to the suffering and social and economic burdens associated with injury crashes. Still, they can also increase the severity of outcomes due to delays or the complete absence of medical attention for the victims. Furthermore, hit-and-run violations can impose additional burdens on law enforcement and families seeking remediation, medical, and insurance assistance.

Orange County Hit-and-Run Crash Lawyers

A hit-and-run occurs when a driver collides with a motorist, bicyclist, pedestrian, or property and then flees without providing identification or offering assistance to those who may have been injured or otherwise harmed. Unfortunately, in many cases, the driver will leave without being identified.

When a driver flees the scene of an accident, it is usually to avoid being caught. The driver could be:

• Uninsured
• Drunk driving
• Driving while ineligible or with a suspended license
• Fearful of losing their license due to previous citations
• Using a stolen or rented vehicle
• Possession of stolen goods or drugs

You may wonder if you can seek compensation without revealing the driver’s identity. In short, it depends on the terms of your insurance policy and the laws of your state.

• No-Fault Insurance: In a no-fault state, you can recover compensation from your insurance provider for medical expenses, lost wages, and the cost of replacement services. These benefits may be limited based on the amount of insurance you have and state laws.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage (UIM) is designed to pay for damage caused by a driver who does not have car insurance. In UIM coverage, an unknown at-fault driver is treated the same as a known at-fault driver who does not have insurance.

If you were injured in an accident caused by a driver who fled the scene, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses. Our Orange County car accident attorneys at Arash Law are committed to assisting victims of these accidents recover the compensation they deserve. To get started, fill out a free case evaluation form or call us at (888) 488-1391 right now.