An unidentified female pedestrian was seriously hurt after getting struck by a hit-and-run driver in the West Matheny area on Wednesday night, February 17.
According to the California Highway Patrol’s initial reports, the accident took place in front of 597 West Matheny Avenue near South Pratt Street at around 8:00 p.m.
The victim was struck by an unspecified vehicle. The driver did not stop to render aid and fled the scene.
Emergency personnel later arrived and found the woman lying down on the roadway with serious injuries.
Local authorities are currently investigating the accident. They are actively pursuing the hit-and-run driver and gathering more evidence for the case.
Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Fleeing the scene after an accident is a crime in itself. Sadly, 11 percent of all crashes involve a hit-and-run driver.
Hit-and-run accidents happen in the U.S. every minute. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were approximately hit-and-run crashes in 2015 alone.
In 2016, there were 2,049 reported hit-and-run related fatalities in the U.S., which was considered the highest number ever recorded.
There are several reasons why hit-and-run drivers flee the scene. They might be intoxicated or impaired by drugs, face legal difficulties, be uninsured, or be illegal aliens.
California law is clear that if a motorist bumps or hits an unattended parked car, the driver must leave his or her name and contact information for the driver of the damaged vehicle. If someone’s property has been damaged, it is illegal to drive away in an attempt to go undetected. To do so is a misdemeanor that can carry the maximum sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Personal Injury Attorney for Victims of Hit-and-Run Accidents in Tulare County
Hit and run accidents are exceedingly complicated, but being adequately compensated for the full range of your injuries is likely to mean the difference between recovering completely and not doing so.
If you were the driver in the damaged vehicle, a passenger in that vehicle, or a pedestrian or bicyclist injured in the accident, were injured by a driver who fled the scene of the accident; you must speak with a dedicated hit and run accident attorney as soon after the accident as possible.
Every car accident is tough, but when you add the additional layer of being abandoned at the scene of the accident by a hit-and-run driver, it makes things that much more difficult. While it’s natural to feel overwhelmed in the aftermath of such an accident, obtaining experienced legal counsel is likely critical to the positive outcome of your claim.
Contact our team at Arash Law. We have the resources you need to pursue justice for wrongful death and the experience to ensure fair compensation. We’re conveniently located throughout California, with offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, Riverside, Orange County, and San Diego, and are happy to visit you. Call (888) 488-1391 for a FREE Consultation with a personal injury attorney in California.