[09-27-2022] Kern County, CA – Unidentified Man Killed, 21-Year-Old Passenger Injured Following a Hit-and-Run Collision on State Route 99

Two vehicles collided on State Route 99 near Palm Street on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

According to the authorities, an investigation revealed that the victim, an unidentified 43-year-old man from Wasco, and a passenger identified as 21-year-old Raina L. were traveling northbound in a white GMC Sierra truck when he made an unsafe lane change.

The GMC was then hit by an unidentified vehicle, causing it to lose control before colliding with the center median and rolling over. The other vehicle’s driver fled the scene.

Both truck occupants were taken to Kern Medical Center following the crash. The driver later died from his injuries, while Lopez suffered minor injuries.

This investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol’s Bakersfield Area Office at 661-396-6600.

Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

Hit-and-run accidents are unfortunately becoming more common. According to ValuePenguin, California accounted for 17% of all fatal hit-and-run crashes in the United States, the highest percentage of any state. From 2010 to 2019, there were 2,948 fatal hit-and-runs in California, resulting in 3,056 deaths. Both of these figures are higher than in any other state.

If you are the victim of a hit and run, there are some important steps you should take:

• Try to get the license plate number or a description of the car. This will be helpful information for police when trying to track down the driver.
• Call the police – You should always call the police after being involved in an accident, but it is especially important if it is a hit and runs. The police will file a report which can be useful later on if you need to file an insurance claim or take legal action against the driver.
• Seek medical attention – Even if you don’t think you were seriously injured, it’s always best to avoid caution and get checked out by a medical professional. In some cases, injuries may not present themselves until hours or even days after an accident.
• Gather evidence – If possible, try to take pictures at the scene of the accident. These pictures can help support your version of events if there is any dispute later on. You should also get contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.

Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers in Kern County

Being the victim of a hit-and-run can be a confusing and frustrating experience. You may be left with property damage, costly repairs, and possibly even injuries, but the driver who caused the accident is nowhere to be found. Fortunately, you have legal options available to you.

Arash Law’s hit-and-run accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case to identify the responsible party. Often, there are ways to find out who was driving the other vehicle, even if they didn’t leave any contact information at the accident scene.

Our legal team in Kern County will help you gather all the evidence you need to build a strong case against the responsible party—whether that’s another driver or an insurance company. This may include talking to witnesses, reviewing medical records, and collecting police reports.

Our experienced attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If your case goes to trial, they will be by your side in court, fighting for the compensation you deserve. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation, or arrange an appointment on our website. We will guide you through every step of the process and ensure that you receive just compensation for your injuries and losses.