[10-13-2023] Orange County, CA – Three People Hospitalized Following Hit-And-Run Crash in Huntington Beach

Three people were hospitalized following a hit-and-run crash in Huntington Beach on Friday evening, October 13, 2023.

According to the Huntington Beach Police Department, the crash happened around 8:45 p.m. at a Kohl’s department store located at 7777 Edinger Avenue.

A vehicle reportedly slammed into the store entrance and struck three people before fleeing the scene. All victims were transported to a hospital, where two are currently in critical condition.

The authorities tracked down the suspect vehicle near an Olive Garden restaurant down the street and apprehended its driver.

The suspect was identified as a 54-year-old man who was transported to the hospital for evaluation. He was found with Arizona license plates and was the only occupant of the vehicle when the crash occurred.

The authorities have not released further information about the collision.

Renowned Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers in Huntington Beach, Orange County

If you or a loved one was injured in a hit-and-run collision in Orange County, you can either submit a claim to the insurance company or file a lawsuit.

Contact one of our hit-and-run accident lawyers for free legal advice. This will include an assessment of your case, recommendations for necessary steps, and a review of the key factors that could influence your potential settlement offer.

Our renowned Orange County hit-and-run accident lawyers at Arash Law, under the direction of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., will fight for your rights and effectively represent you in these court proceedings. Our firm has recovered more than $750 Million for California clients.

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.

Top 5 Things To Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Huntington Beach

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 to catch the driver, and they can help to establish your claim for damages. Those actions consist of:

1. Collect as much info as possible while at the scene of the accident. Depending on your condition, you might have the ability to get the car’s license plate number and the make, model, and color of the vehicle. If you cannot make a note of this information, you need to at least attempt to snap a few photos of the car (maybe using your cell phone).
2. Call the police as soon as possible. The quicker you report the accident to authorities, the faster they can act to arrest the driver. Also, when you call the police, you develop a record of the accident. Within a couple of 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.
3. Get the names and contact info of any witnesses. You need to keep in mind that individuals who witness an accident may stay to check on your condition, but after the cops and ambulance show up, they may quickly leave. You should make sure to get their names and phone numbers as soon as possible. Witnesses could play a crucial role. For example, a witness might verify that another vehicle collided with your car.
4. Get immediate medical attention. For your own well-being, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible and get examined for any injuries. Furthermore, if you see a doctor, it produces a record of your injuries. As you improve, you need to stick to your medical professional’s treatment plan.
5. Report the crash to your own insurance company. While you ought to do this as fast as possible, you need to make sure to stick with the facts. You do not have to admit or designate any fault. Plus, you should not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement agreement until you have talked to a California hit-and-run lawyer about your case.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

In the United States, leaving the site of an accident without reporting it or helping the victims is considered a crime. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported about 737,100 accidents involving hit-and-run drivers in 2015. This equates to roughly one hit-and-run accident occurring every 43 seconds in the US.

Within California, 2,948 hit-and-run accidents resulted in 3,056 fatalities between 2010 and 2019. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Huntington Beach recorded 44 hit-and-run crashes in 2020, much lower than the 76 crashes reported in the previous year.