Fatal Riverside Hit-and-Run Car Accident
A pedestrian who was fatally injured in a hit-and-run Riverside car accident has been identified by authorities as 53-year-old Danny Joe Bradshaw. The Press Enterprise reports that Bradshaw was walking on Gavilan Road near Multiview Drive the afternoon of December 8, 2009, when a pickup truck crossed the double yellow lines and struck Bradshaw, who was walking on the shoulder of the roadway. The truck with two men left the scene of the collision, California Highway Patrol officials said. The suspect vehicle is described as a "Chevy or GMC extra-cab with a long bed." Witnesses said there were two men in the truck at the time of the accident. If you witnessed this accident or have any information, please call CHP officials at 951-637-8000.
I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Danny Joe Bradshaw. Please keep them in your prayers.
Riverside Pedestrian Accident Statistics
In Riverside County, 43 people died and 293 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007, according to CHP's traffic accident statistics. Also during the same year, in Riverside County, 279 fatalities and 9,925 injuries were reported involving car accidents.
I certainly hope that the hit-and-run driver in this case will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. If this news report is accurate, there is no question that the driver of the pickup truck broke the law by swerving across double yellow lines and striking the pedestrian, Bradshaw, who was walking on the shoulder. I trust officials are also looking into whether the truck driver intentionally struck Bradshaw. The suspect in this case would be facing several criminal charges, including felony hit-and-run.
Hit-and-Run Laws in California
Leaving the scene of a car accident 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."
Bradshaw's family would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will keep up with the official investigation and make sure that the family receives fair compensation for their tremendous loss. If the suspect was on-the-job at the time of the accident, his employer could also be held liable. If there was negligence or wrongdoing involved, Bradshaw's family will be able to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. They can also claim compensation through the uninsured/underinsured motorist provision of their car insurance policy in cases that involve a hit-and-run driver or a motorist who does not have insurance or lacks sufficient insurance coverage. The best personal injury law firms will be able to guide families of severely injured victims through what can be a long and complex legal process of obtaining compensation.
We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
