[11-18-2023] Santa Cruz County, CA – One Person Killed Following Hit-and-Run Collision in Capitola

One person was killed following a hit-and-run collision in Capitola on Saturday evening, November 18, 2023.

According to the Capitola Police Department, the fatal collision happened around 8:30 p.m. in the 800 block of Bay Avenue.

The unidentified victim was reportedly struck by an unknown vehicle. There is no information available on whether the victim was pronounced dead at the scene or in the hospital.

The suspect driver remains at large while authorities are gathering information about the cause of the fatal collision.

Reputable  Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers in Capitola, Santa Cruz County

You have the option of filing a lawsuit or submitting an insurance claim if you or a family member was injured or killed in a hit-and-run collision in Capitola.

Obtain the legal advice of our hit-and-run accident lawyers through a free initial consultation. 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 reputable Capitola 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 $500 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 Capitola

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 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 attorney about your case.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal 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, Capitola recorded 11 crashes in 2020, lower than the 17 crashes reported in the previous year.