Manuel George, 58, was injured in a September 23, 2009 San Francisco car accident that involved at least four vehicles, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports. California Highway Patrol officials said the chain of events began when George rear-ended a Pontiac Bonneville with his Toyota Camry while traveling north on the Highway 101 near Healdsburg. The Pontiac then rear-ended a Nissan Sentra driven by 29-year-old Scott Llewellyn.
But the driver of the Pontiac did not stop. Llewellyn followed him to get a license plate number. After those drivers left, George’s Camry was struck by a Dodge Intrepid. The driver of the Dodge also left the scene. CHP officers found George injured and on the ground near his car, which was in the center divider strip. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. The Pontiac and the Dodge were later discovered in Healdsburg. Officials are still looking for their drivers.
My heart goes to Manuel George, the injured victim in this case. I hope and pray his injuries were not critical and wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this man and his family in your prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 29 injuries reported in Healdsburg, California, involving car accidents. In Sonoma County as a whole, 48 fatalities and 2,255 injuries were reported in 2007 involving car accidents.
Hit-and-run is a serious violation under California law. If you leave the scene of an accident, especially one where there is extensive injury or property damage, you will most likely be charged with a hit-and-run felony. If you have been involved in a California car accident, you must stop. Hit-and-run laws in California are not only about legality but also morality – about taking responsibility for one’s actions.
California Car Accident Laws
According to California Vehicle Code section 20001: “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.”
Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who can better explain their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable injury lawyer will also be able to tell the victims how the uninsured/underinsured clause in their own car insurance policy will apply to a hit-and-run accident or in a case where the at-fault driver has insufficient or no insurance coverage.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.
We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.