A pedestrian sustained serious injuries in a Los Angeles car accident the night of April 30, 2010, CBS News reports. The injury crash occurred at the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Chandler boulevards in North Hollywood. Los Angeles police officials say that the driver of a blue SUV cut off a Toyota Camry, which then swerved and hit the pedestrian. The SUV did not stop and kept going. Officials are calling this an instance of “non-contact hit-and-run.” The pedestrian sustained a broken arm and broken leg. The male driver of the SUV apparently caused the crash, but failed to stop. If apprehended he is expected to be charged with hit-and-run. Officials are asking anyone who saw this crash or know anything about the suspect to contact LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8000.
It appears although, the pedestrian sustained serious injuries, thankfully, they are not life-threatening. I wish this injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 104 fatalities and 2,716 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles. Countywide, pedestrian accidents claimed 214 lives and caused 4,985 injuries during the same year.
Non-Contact Hit-and-Run
Based on this news report, the collision occurred right at a street intersection. It also appears that the driver of the SUV was driving recklessly. Officials believe that this was a non-contact hit-and-run. This means that the SUV did not make contact with the pedestrian. However, the SUV may have triggered the collision thereby causing the injuries.
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime under California law. California Vehicle Code section 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”
Protecting Accident Victims’ Rights
The injured pedestrian in this case would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the investigation and make sure that his or her legal rights are protected. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will also explain to victims how their car insurance policy applies to a hit-and-run collision or to a case where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
