Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident Injures Boy
A 9-year-old boy sustained injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck by a vehicle in the El Sereno area. According to a CBS news report, the pedestrian accident occurred December 21, 2009, near the intersection of Alhambra Avenue and Gratiot Street. The child was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. The extent of his injuries is not yet known. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene.
My heart goes out to the family of this little boy who has been injured in this car accident. I hope his injuries were not major or catastrophic. I hope and pray he has a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this young victim in your prayers.
Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles
There were 90 fatalities and 2,690 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Los Angeles in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 210 people died and 5,095 were injures as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year. Countywide, 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries were reported due to car accidents in 2007.
Hit-and-Run Law
Under California law, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime. 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." I sincerely hope officials apprehend the hit-and-run driver and bring him or her to justice.
Car Accident Causes and Liability Issues
It is also not clear exactly how or why this accident occurred. There are a few unanswered questions here. Was the boy in a marked crosswalk or at an intersection at the time? Why did the driver fail to see the boy on the street? Was the driver impaired, speeding, driving recklessly or otherwise negligent? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway which may have caused or contributed to this accident?
The family of this 9-year-old boy would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will help protect their rights and make sure they receive fair compensation for the injuries and damages suffered. If a dangerous roadway caused this accident, the city or governmental agency in charge of maintaining that roadway could be held responsible. Any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise the family about how their car insurance policy would apply to a hit-and-run accident or an incident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver.
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.
December 25th, 2009 at 1:10 am
My name is Carlos Morales,Publisher & Editor of THE VOICE Newspaper serving the Northeast Los Angeles Communities of El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights and the Western end of Alhambra.
After learning of this incident I interviewed both LAPD and LAFD and have learned the following:
The boy ran into the street following a ball that was hit out of the front yard. The driver who struck the child did not flee but instead try to render help to the injured child.
The child was treated for a possible fractured left ankle, a contusion to a lower extremity of his body and some facial abrasions in the temporal area of his face.
It could have been alot worse.
I can be reached at 323/221.7400