San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog
On Wednesday, June 27, two people were seriously hurt when a car crashed into a pedal cab at Embarcadero and Sansome Street in San Francisco and fled the scene. A second pedal cab then crashed into the first pedal cab. The pedal cabs were carrying a family of four. Police are still investigating the case and searching for the car, which has been described as a light colored sedan.
If you were injured in a hit and run accident, do not wait to ask for legal help. The personal injury lawyers at Brod Law Firm have years of experience handling hit and run claims. By calling us, you will have an experienced attorney fighting for your rights. Contact Brod Law Firm online or call us at (800) 427-7020.
California Hit and Run Laws
California has strict hit and run laws in place, and for good reason. In many hit and run cases, someone is injured and left on the side of the road without medical treatment while suffering from injuries like broken bones, excessive bleeding, traumatic brain injury, or a concussion.
Under California law, the driver of a vehicle that has been involved in a car accident is required to stop the car immediately at the scene of the accident. Thus, fleeing from the scene of a car accident after striking a car is a crime in California and can result in hefty fines and a prison sentence of up to one year. If the driver is found to have been intoxicated at the time of the accident, the prison sentence may be increased to up to five years.
How to Prove Liability in a Hit and Run Case
Finding the culprit in a hit and run accident can be challenging. Oftentimes, the victim must simply wait for police to conduct an investigation based on the facts available and any witness testimony. This can be a long and tiresome process, but an experienced car accident attorney can help document the facts, examine the evidence available, and speak with any witnesses if necessary. An attorney can also help you negotiate with your insurance company in order to get you the compensation you deserve.
The best case scenario is that the investigation leads to the car plate number belonging to the hit and run driver or some other crucial information that will help identify the driver. In this case, the victim will simply have to show that the driver was at fault, and fleeing from the scene of a crash is typically a pretty good indicator of guilt.
With nearly 15,000 hit and run accidents in California each year, it is sadly not uncommon for negligent or reckless drivers to think only of themselves and not of the injured victim. In many instances when the driver flees the scene after an accident, the driver knows he has engaged in illegal behavior, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, possession drugs or alcohol, driving with an expired license, or driving a stolen car.
Were You Injured in a Hit And Run Accident?
If you were injured in a hit and run accident, contact a San Francisco car accident attorney from Brod Law Firm immediately. One of our experienced lawyers will guide you through the insurance claim process, and if necessary, represent you in a personal injury lawsuit. Do not wait to seek compensation for your injuries – call us today at (800) 427-7020.
(image courtesy of Axel Dadure)