A 36-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured after a hit-and-run crash in Jamestown, Tuolumne County, on Wednesday night, October 4, 2023.
The California Highway Patrol responded to reports of the hit-and-run around 8:35 p.m. on Main Street, near Humbug Street.
Initial investigations indicate that a 2002 Lincoln LS sedan was traveling south on Main Street when it struck the victim with its right front side. The suspect immediately fled the scene after the crash.
Upon the arrival of emergency teams, the pedestrian, identified as Joseph A., was found with major injuries and was airlifted to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.
Investigations are underway to determine what caused the collision and what factors were involved while authorities are continuing their search for the suspect.
Award-Winning Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers in Tuolumne County
It is beneficial to seek legal counsel from a personal injury attorney if you or someone you know has been involved in an accident due to another person’s negligence.
Our experienced hit-and-run accident lawyers provide free initial consultations where we assess the specific circumstances of your case, explain the legal procedures involved, and consider essential factors that could impact the potential compensation you may be eligible to receive.
You can seek advice from our award-winning Tuolumne County hit-and-run accident lawyers at Arash Law, under Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to help you with your insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings. We have recovered more than $500 Million for clients and are widely acknowledged for our success and reputation as one of California’s leading personal injury law firms.
If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.
What To Do After A Hit-And-Run Accident
If you are involved in a crash with a driver who flees the scene, you can take particular steps to protect your ability to recover a settlement. The steps you choose can help authorities catch the driver, and they can help establish your claim for damages. Those actions consist of:
- Collect as much information as possible while at the scene of the accident. Depending on your condition, you might be able to get the car’s license plate number, model, and vehicle color. Attempting to snap a few photos of the car is the best method, if possible.
- Call the police as soon as possible. The quicker you report the accident to authorities, the faster they can act to arrest the driver. When you call the police, you also develop a record of the accident. Within a few days, you can order a collision report from the police station that took it or through the California DMV. This record will assist you later when you submit a claim.
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. You need to remember that individuals who witness an accident may stay to check on your condition, but after the police and ambulance show up, they may quickly leave. Make sure to get their names and phone numbers as soon as possible. Witnesses could play a crucial role in verifying your statements and supporting your claims.
- Get immediate medical attention. You need to see a doctor as soon as possible for your well-being and get examined for injuries. Seeing a doctor also produces a record of your injuries. Stick to your medical professional’s treatment plan as you improve your condition.
- Report the crash to your own insurance company. While you ought to do this as fast as possible, you must stick with the facts. You do not have to admit or designate any fault. You should not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement agreement until you have spoken to a California hit-and-run lawyer about your case.
Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics
Leaving the scene of an accident without rendering aid or reporting it is a criminal offense in the United States.
In 2015, there were 737,100 documented hit-and-run accidents in the US, which equates to about one accident every 43 seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Hit-and-run incidents claimed the lives of 2,049 people in 2016, a record number. The California Department of Motor Vehicles reports that 2,948 hit-and-run incidents resulted in 3,056 fatalities from 2010 to 2019. These statistics reveal a significantly higher incidence of such occurrences than in other states.