A $75,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a hit-and-run driver who struck a 14-year-old girl and her 3-year-old niece as they crossed Main and 43rd streets in Los Angeles on December 28, 2009. The impact of the crash threw both girls about 40 feet from where they were hit. They suffered serious injuries. The only information police have so far is that the driver was a woman in an older, two-door, white sedan with a stop lamp in the middle of the back window. Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD detectives Jose DeLeon or Josephine Mapson at 213-972-1845.

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My heart goes out to the families of these two children who still haven't found closure more than four months after these girls were run down in the middle of the street and left injured on the roadway. Tragic! I sincerely hope this reward results in the hit-and-run driver being apprehended and brought to justice. I also hope the girls are recovering from their injuries. These injured pedestrian accident victims and their families will be in my prayers.

Hit-and-Run Statistics

According to the California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics, there were 247 deaths in 2008, from a total of 17,158 hit-and-run collision incidents in California. A majority of these collisions involved injuries.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Hit-and-run is a serious crime. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: "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." This driver should have remained at the scene whether the car accident was her fault or not, waited for authorities to arrive and most importantly gotten these injured children help. The least she could have done was to pick up her cell phone and call 911 so the victims could have received immediate medical attention.

Compensation for Hit-and-Run Victims

Those who have suffered injuries as a result of negligence or wrongdoing in a car accident, would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will help them seek compensation for their injuries, damages and losses. Families go through much financial hardship to take care of medical expenses especially in such cases where there is no one to hold accountable. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise families about how their own car insurance policy applies in a hit-and-run case, or in an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

Do you have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.