A 35-year-old pedestrian was killed after being struck by a hit-and-run vehicle in Lake Elsinore on Sunday night, November 19, 2023.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred shortly after 10:00 p.m. on the Main Street entrance to southbound Interstate 15.
A Toyota Camry hybrid reportedly struck the victim while he walked within one of the on-ramp lanes. The driver fled the scene after hitting the victim, who was pronounced dead on the scene.
Soon after, another 34-year-old driver in a 2017 Ford Explorer drove onto the ramp and ran over the pedestrian. Despite not seeing the victim, he pulled over after realizing he had run over him and called 911.
The Explorer driver was questioned and allowed to leave the scene, but the Toyota, manufactured between 2007 and 2011, is expected to have moderate front-end damage.
Further details about the cause of the crash remain unavailable at this time.
Trusted Riverside County Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers Specializing in Pedestrian Accident Cases
You may be entitled to compensation if you have suffered damages due to another driver’s negligence. It is best to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer after being injured in a hit-and-run accident.
Contact one of our hit-and-run accident lawyers or pedestrian accident lawyers for a consultation. The free case evaluation will provide you with an overview of your case, a discussion of the settlement, and a guide to filing an insurance claim to prepare you for the legal process in the future.
Obtain competent legal assistance from our Riverside County hit-and-run accident lawyers at Arash Law, under the direction of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., who are prepared to help you submit your insurance claim or effectively represent you in court. We have recovered more than $500 Million for California clients and have earned a reputation as one of the best law firms in the state.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Report the crash to your own insurance company. While you ought to do this as soon 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 discuss your case with California hit-and-run attorneys or pedestrian accident lawyers.
Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics
The United States of America has a specific law that prohibits anyone from leaving the scene of an accident without providing first aid and contacting the authorities immediately following the accident if any injuries are sustained.
Between 2010 and 2019, 3,056 fatal hit-and-run accidents in California resulted in 2,948 deaths. As a result of the high number of automobile accidents in California, the state is known to have a high death rate.
According to the 2020 OTS ranking of the California Office of Traffic and Safety, Lake Elsinore had 11 hit-and-run fatalities and injuries and 8 pedestrian cases. With an average population of 70,891 in the same year, 212 were victims of different accidents.