Brandon David Brown, 31, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the morning of June 20, 2010 after the vehicle he was driving struck an SUV that was stopped in the northbound carpool lane of the 405 Freeway, near Culver City. According to a CBS News report, Brown died at the scene after driving his Toyota Tercel into the back of the SUV. California Highway Patrol officials say the SUV fled the scene without stopping to provide aid for the injured victim. Authorities are looking for the hit-and-run suspect and vehicle. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Brandon David Brown for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 267 injuries involving car accidents in Culver City. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Hit-and-Run Law

Leaving the scene of an accident or hit-and-run is a serious criminal offense under California law. 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."

Drivers are required to remain at the scene of the crash, regardless of fault for the collision, exchange information with other parties and administer aid to the injured victim. In this particular case, there are still a number of questions. Why was the SUV stopped in the carpool lane? That motorist apparently drove away leaving Brown critically injured. I trust officials are looking into all possible factors for this horrific crash and will soon locate the hit-and-run suspect.

Claim for Compensation

In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover medical and funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to advise families about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to tell families about how their car insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run crash or in a case where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

What more should our legislators be doing to crack down on hit-and-run drivers?

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.