California Injury Blog
A 43-year-old pedestrian has sustained serious injuries in a Los Angeles car accident, after he was hit by a vehicle at a North Hollywood intersection, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The vehicle fled the scene of the accident leaving the injured victim on the roadway. The major injury pedestrian accident occurred as the man was crossing at the intersection of Blythe Street and Lankershim Boulevard, the night of December 19, 2009.
Police are describing the hit-and-run vehicle as an older model, dark-colored Toyota Corolla and the suspect as a male Latino. The suspect vehicle also has damage to its windshield and was last seen going south on Lankershim Boulevard near Saticoy Street. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Anyone who saw this accident or has information about the hit-and-run driver or vehicle is asked to call LAPD at 818-644-8028 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
My heart goes out to this injured victim and his family who must be going through an extremely difficult time right now. I wish him the very best for a quick and full recovery from his serious injury. Please keep this injured victim and his family in your prayers.
Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles
In the city of Los Angeles 90 people died and 2,690 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County as a whole pedestrian accidents caused 210 fatalities and 5,095 injuries in 2007. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 712 lives and injured 56,475 during the same year.
Car Accident Laws and Liability Issues
Hit-and-run is a serious crime in California. 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.”
Also, in this case, it is not clear whether the pedestrian was walking in a marked crosswalk or at an intersection. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”
Contacting Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
The victim or his family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced LA personal injury attorney who will ensure that their rights are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to analyze the incident completely and determine whether there was dangerous condition on the roadway. An injury lawyer should explain to the family how their car insurance policy will apply to a hit-and-run accident or an incident that involves an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source 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, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.