A 65-year-old woman sustained injuries in an Orange County car accident after she was struck by a car at an Aliso Viejo intersection the night of May 22, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of Aliso Viejo Parkway and Moulton Parkway. Police say the driver of the vehicle did not stop and fled the scene of the crash. The injured woman was a passenger inside a Toyota Matrix. The hit-and-run vehicle is described as a dark compact car with Washington state license plates. That vehicle is also believed to have front-end-damage.

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I sympathize with his injured woman. I'm relieved to note that she did not sustain life-threatening injuries in this collision. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. She will be in my prayers.

Car Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 143 injuries involving car accidents in Aliso Viejo. In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash

Based on this news report, it is not clear exactly how this collision occurred. We don't know who was at fault. But it appears that the accident occurred at an intersection. So it is very likely that one of the drivers failed to yield right-of-way or ran a red light. Irrespective of what occurred or who was at fault, it was the duty of the absconding driver, under the law, to stop and remain at the scene of the crash. Motorists are required to exchange information with other parties and also obtain help for the injured victim.

Leaving the scene of an accident or hit-and-run is a serious crime 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."

Claim for Compensation

Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims 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.

Do you think members of the public would be more inclined to report hit-and-run drivers if their identities were kept anonymous?

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.