A 26-year-old man was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident after he was struck by a vehicle at a local intersection. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the pedestrian was crossing at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Cass Street the morning of August 28, 2010 when he was struck by a pickup truck. Officials say the driver of the pickup drove away without stopping. Based on witness reports, officials say the pedestrian was crossing against the light. The pickup driver apparently had the green light. The victim suffered a broken pelvis. Authorities are looking for the hit-and-run suspect. No further description is available.

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I hope this pedestrian has not sustained catastrophic injuries. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 23 fatalities and 533 personal injuries in San Diego as a result of pedestrian accidents. In San Diego County as a whole, 63 people were killed and 998 people were injured in pedestrian accidents during the same year.

Hit-And-Run Law

In California, it is against the law to leave the scene of an accident. 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."

The law requires drivers to stop, remain at the scene and obtain medical assistance for the injured victim – irrespective of whose fault the accident was. In this case, the driver of the pickup truck may not have even faced charges if he or she had stayed at the scene. Now, he or she likely faces a felony hit-and-run charge.

Claim for Compensation

In this case, I trust officials are still talking to additional witnesses to determine the circumstances of the crash. The injured victim would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that his or her legal rights are protected. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the incident.

Are there any intersections in your city or neighborhood that are unsafe for pedestrians?

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.