Northern California Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Northern California Pedestrian Hit and Run
In the state of California, pedestrians have the right of way and it is against the law to leave the scene of an accident. Under the California motor vehicle code, if an accident results in property damage, injury or death, the motorist is required to stop. When a driver flees the scene of an accident, this is called a hit and run. Depending on the severity of the victim's injuries, if caught, the driver can be convicted of either a criminal misdemeanor or a felony. Law enforcement will do everything possible to apprehend the driver, but if unable to do so, victims may still be able to obtain compensation for their pedestrian accident injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a hit and run accident, the experienced San Jose pedestrian accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates can file a claim against your own insurance company to pay for your expenses. Our knowledgeable legal team will work with your insurance company to ensure that you are compensated for both your financial and non-financial losses. The uninsured motorist coverage section of your insurance policy may compensate you for the following losses, depending on the severity of your injuries:
Financial losses
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Future lost income
- Disability
- Rehabilitation
Non-financial losses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that a total of 4,654 pedestrian deaths occurred in the year 2007; 20% of these accidents were the result of hit and run. This means that 930 pedestrian accidents involved a motorist fleeing the scene, and 930 motorists have not been punished for their criminal act. Without the benefit of seatbelts, airbags and the physical structure of a motor vehicle to protect them, pedestrians are very vulnerable to injury or death. If you or a loved one was a victim of a hit and run accident, please call the Northern California hit and run law firm of Van Der Walde & Associates today for a free case evaluation. We understand how devastating these types of accidents can be and we will aggressively fight for your rights and will seek the maximum possible compensation package so that you can have the optimal recovery possible.
