[10-15-2023] Merced County, CA – 49-Year-Old Man Died Following Hit-And-Run Two-Vehicle Crash on Highway 99

A 49-year-old man died after being sideswiped by a big rig and being involved in a hit-and-run two-vehicle crash in Merced County on Sunday morning, October 15, 2023.

The California Highway Patrol responded to reports of the incident around 6:30 a.m. in the area of Highway 99 and Plainsburg Road.

The man was struck by two vehicles when he got out of his car and attempted to cross the highway after being sideswiped by a big rig. While the vehicles fled the scene, the truck driver remained at the scene with no reported injuries.

A felony hit-and-run investigation is underway. Further information on the identity of the involved individuals and the cause of the crash has not been released.

Top Merced County Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers Specializing in Truck Accidents

Accidents resulting from hit-and-runs may qualify for legal compensation, which is why legal representation is highly recommended. A person who has been injured or their family can receive compensation for their pain and suffering by submitting a claim to their insurance company or by bringing a lawsuit against their insurance company.

You can receive a free legal consultation from one of our dedicated attorneys. The settlement offer you receive will be based on the information you provide and other factors that may influence it. You will receive assistance in completing the necessary steps.

Obtain legal advice from our respected Merced County hit-and-run accident lawyers, specializing in truck accident cases at Arash Law, under Arash Khorsandi, Esq.’s direction. Our legal team can help you with your insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings. We have recovered more than $750 Million for California clients and are considered one of California’s top personal injury firms for our success and reputation.

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

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:

1. Collect as much information as possible while at the scene of the accident. Depending on your condition, you must get the car’s license plate number and the vehicle’s make, model, and color. If you cannot, you need to at least attempt to snap a few photos of the car 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 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.
3. 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 cops and ambulance show up, they may quickly leave. You should 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. You need to see a doctor as soon as possible for your well-being and get examined for injuries. Furthermore, if you see a doctor, it produces a record of your injuries. You must stick to your medical professional’s treatment plan as you improve.
5. 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 talked to a California hit-and-run lawyer about your case.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics

There are several laws in the United States of America that specifically prohibit leaving the scene of an accident without offering assistance to the victims and contacting the authorities if they have been injured before leaving the scene.

A total of 2,948 people were killed in hit-and-run accidents in California between 2010 and 2019. As a result of the state’s high number of automobile accidents, California has one of the highest death rates.

According to the 2020 OTS ranking of the California Office of Traffic and Safety, Merced County had 152 hit-and-run fatalities and injuries. With an average population of 281,874 in the same year, 2,116 were victims of different accidents.