San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

A five-year-old boy was seriously injured in Alpine Tuesday afternoon in an apparent hit-and-run accident, San Diego 6 News and East County Magazine reported July 13th. The incident was reported shortly after 5 p.m., in the 2100 block of Alpine Glen Place in the Japatul Valley area.

According to news reports, the young boy, who was not identified, was pinned between a vehicle and a block wall. The boy, who was breathing and conscious but may have suffered broken bones, was airlifted to a hospital. The suspect fled the scene. Authorities were able to get an ID on the car that struck the boy, and the vehicle was registered to a local owner, identified as only a white male adult. Law enforcement went to his home, but he could not immediately be located.

Duty to Stop at Scene of Accident

It is absolutely horrifying to imagine that a grown adult would flee the scene of an accident, and leave an innocent young little boy suffering, as it appears was the case here. Regardless of how an accident occurs, leaving the scene of an accident is against the law, not to mention morally reprehensible. Under the California Vehicle Code § 2001 (a) "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." When the driver is located, he will likely face criminal charges for fleeing the scene of the accident.

Liability for Personal Injuries

When the driver is located, in addition to criminal charges, he may be financially liable for the injuries of the boy in a personal injury claim. While this accident is under investigation, the parents of the victim would be well-advised to contact a San Diego pedestrian accident attorney about this accident and the legal issues stemming from this accident. A skilled lawyer can help the family obtain compensation for the boy's injuries and pain and suffering as a result of this accident. In the event the driver is not located or if the driver is located and uninsured, an attorney may be able to help the family obtain compensation from their own motor vehicle insurance policy, if they had one.

Continue reading "Five-Year-Old Boy Injured in Alpine Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident " »

A 52-year-old San Marcos man died early Saturday when he was struck by a car while walking in the westbound lanes of Highway 78, the North County Times reported. The victim was identified by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office as Mark Allen Dale, 52, of San Marcos.

According to news reports, CHP officers came across the victim's body lying in westbound traffic lanes at 2:48 a.m. near Vista Village Drive. It was not known what time he was struck. CHP officers discovered Dale's silver Mercury Cougar on the right shoulder of the eastbound SR 78 traffic lanes at the Escondido Avenue exit just east of Vista Village Drive. It was not clear why Dale was attempting to cross the highway. The driver that struck him fled the scene.

Based on the evidence and debris at the scene, officers believe that the vehicle that struck Dale was a 2005 or 2006 Ford Expedition XL or XLT. There was likely major damage to the front of the vehicle. Authorities said there were apparently no witnesses to the accident. Anyone with information about this accident or the driver who fled the scene is asked to contact Officer Mike Bush at (760) 757-1677.

Cause of the Accident

The CHP is continuing to investigate and search for the driver. Walking across the freeway in the middle of the night is clearly dangerous and it is possible that in doing so, the pedestrian contributed to the accident. However, no matter what happened, there is absolutely no excuse for the driver fleeing the scene of the accident. It is possible that the driver involved in this July 10th accident could have helped save Mark Allen Dale if he or she had stopped immediately afterward. The Medical Examiner's press release stated that charges will be pending against the driver or drivers involved in the accident.

Wrongful Death Liability

Along with the heartbreak and devastation of the loss of a family member, families may also face financial challenges after a sudden loss. In hit-and-run fatality accidents, in addition to criminal charges for hit-and-run, the driver involved in this accident, if he or she is located, may be liable for the wrongful death of the victim. In the event the driver is not located, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss from the victim's own auto insurance policy, if he had one.

Damages awarded in a wrongful death claim may include compensation for future anticipated earnings and benefits of the decedent, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of love, care and companionship. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victim would likely benefit from speaking to a San Diego wrongful death attorney about this fatal Highway 78 pedestrian accident and the unique legal issues involved. A skilled lawyer who has represented families of victims of fatal hit-and-run crashes on highways can advise the victim's family of their legal rights, options and responsibilities and best course of action should they wish to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "San Marcos Man Killed in Hit-and-Run on Highway 78 " »

A 22-year-old woman suffered a double skull fracture Sunday night after she was struck from behind by a bicyclist while walking her dog, police reported. The woman, who was not identified, was walking her dog east on Carmel Valley Road near Caminito Del Barco in Del Mar when she was knocked down by a cyclist around 9:00 p.m. She was able to get up and walk to her home, but later when to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a skull fracture and head injury. Police were then called to the hospital, and began their investigation. No description of the cyclist was immediately available.

Hit and Run Accidents involving Cyclists

Cyclists have the same obligation as drivers of motor vehicles to stop at the scene of any accident resulting in injury. Regardless of who was at fault or responsible, the cyclist had a duty to stop. Under California Vehicle Code § 20001, "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..." In this case, for leaving the scene of the accident, the cyclist may face the same legal sanctions for this accident as the driver of an automobile would have.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck by Hit-and-Run Cyclist in Del Mar " »

A 73-year-old Vista man was killed early Wednesday morning in a hit-and-run accident near the intersection of E. Vista Way and Monte Mar Road in Vista. The victim, Richard Louis Canngiano, was apparently attempting to cross the E Vista Way south of the intersection when, according to Sheriff's Deputies, a passerby observed the victim on the ground. It was not clear whether the man had fallen, or had been struck.

The passerby turned around to help the Canngiano. However, before the passerby could reach him, Canngiano was struck by a a small pickup truck similar to a mid 90's Ford Ranger travelling south on E. Vista Way in the #1 lane. The driver of the pickup truck stopped briefly, but fled the scene.

It is not clear why Canngiano was crossing the road so early in the morning, or whether other vehicles were involved. Regardless of why this accident occurred or whose fault it was, fleeing the scene of an accident causing injury or death is a crime. Under the California Vehicle Code § 20001, "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."

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Richard Canngiano. For the family's sake, we hope that the driver of the vehicle that fled this accident will come forward or be located quickly. The vehicle likely has a suspension lift and larger tires, and paint damage on the front end. If anyone has information about this incident, the driver, or the vehicle involved, they are asked to contact Deputy Cannon at the Vista Sheriff's Station (760) 940-4556.

Continue reading "Elderly Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident in Vista " »

A 21-year-old man died early Sunday morning when he was struck by a vehicle on eastbound State Route 94 in Jamul, just east of Proctor Valley Road and Jefferson Road. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Jonathan Michael Ulmer of Alpine. According to reports in the San Diego Union Tribune, Ulmer's body was found by an uninvolved passing motorist lying in the westbound lanes of Campo Road (Highway 94) at about 3 a.m.

There were no witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the California Highway Patrol at (858) 637-3800. Our sympathy goes out to the family of Jonathan Michael Ulmer, and we sincerely hope that the driver of the vehicle involved in this pedestrian accident will be located or come forward for the sake of the young man's family.

Help For Families of Hit And Run Accident Victims

Under the California Vehicle Code, "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." When a hit and run accident results in a death, the driver is usually charged with a felony.

If the driver is eventually located, the family of the victim may also file a civil claim for their loved one's wrongful death. While this accident remains under investigation, the family of the young man killed in this accident may benefit from speaking to a San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer experienced in hit-and-run accidents and wrongful death liability issues. Even if the driver is never located, an attorney may be able to help the family recover compensation for their loss from the victim's own insurance policy, if he had one.

Continue reading "Alpine Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident on SR-94 in Jamul " »

A 56-year-old woman suffered serious injuries to her face and leg Thursday late Thursday evening after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Mount Hope, San Diego police reported. The pedestrian accident occurred just before 11 p.m. Thursday February 25th. According to news reports of the accident, the woman was struck while walking across Market Street at 42nd street.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian, a 76-year-old man, is believed to have run a red light. He sped away from the accident but was located and arrested later in Santee. Authorities did not immediately release the driver's name.

We hope the woman injured in this San Diego pedestrian accident makes a full and quick recovery from her injuries. If the news reports of this accident are accurate, the injured pedestrian was not at fault for this accident. She and her family would be well-advised to contact a San Diego pedestrian accident attorney who can help her protect her rights and obtain compensation for her medical expenses, lost earnings, and emotional pain and suffering suffered in this hit-and run crash.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Hit-and Run Pedestrian Accident in Mount Hope" »

A 35-year-old San Diego woman died early Friday morning after she was struck by a station wagon along the 4600 block of Market Street in San Diego. The woman had parked her Kia Sephia along the side of the road and was getting out of her vehicle when she was struck by the hit-and-run vehicle, which was travelling eastbound on Market Street at a "high rate of speed." The accident was reported on Market Street near 47th Street in Chollas View at about 2:17 a.m. February 19. According to San Diego County Medical Examiner, the victim was thrown across several vehicles and came to rest under the back of a Ford Truck.

The suspect vehicle was described as an older model Japanese-make station wagon that is either blue or bluish purple. Police believe the vehicle will be missing part of the front bumper, which remained at the scene. The passenger front window was also broken, and some of the red paint from the victim's car may have transferred onto the hit and run vehicle. The driver is believed to be in his 50's with white or gray curly hair. Anyone with information is urged to contact San Diego Police.

Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death is against the law, and in this situation, the driver had every obligation to stop. We hope for the sake of the victim's family that the driver will be located or will turn himself in quickly. While this accident remains under investigation, the family of the woman killed would be well-advised to speak with a San Diego wrongful death lawyer about their rights and options. An experienced attorney can possibly aid in the investigation and explain to the family how the victim's own insurance policy may apply in this situation.

Continue reading "San Diego Woman Killed in Hit and Run Accident in Chollas View " »

A Vista woman was taken to Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside after she was struck by a pickup truck in Vista Tuesday night, authorities reported. The driver of the pickup truck, which was described as maroon or red, immediately left the scene after striking the woman. The hit-and-run pedestrian accident occurred around 6:25 p.m. at the intersection of North Santa Fe Avenue and West Indian Rock Road.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vista Sheriff's Department. We hope the woman injured in this crash makes a full recovery and that the driver will turn himself or herself in to authorities.

Not stopping at the scene of an accident causing injury is against the law. Under California Vehicle Code § 20001, "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..." In this case, because the woman was in fact injured, the driver had a legal obligation to stop.

While authorities search for the driver of the pickup truck and the cause of the accident remains under investigation, the victim and her family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced San Diego pedestrian injury attorney. A lawyer can help protect the victim's rights and if the driver is not located, explain how the woman's own auto insurance policy may cover her injuries.

Continue reading "Vista Pedestrian Injured in Hit-and-Run Accident " »

Sheriff's Deputies are looking for the driver of a white Toyota Camry who struck and killed a 15-year-old Vista boy Friday night. The boy was taken by ambulance to Palomar Medical Center with critical head injuries, where he died. The incident occurred on Thibodo Road, east of Edna Way at about 7 p.m. Friday. The victim, identified by the San Diego County medical examiner as Lucas Giaconelli of Vista, was skateboarding with friends when he was hit from behind by the speeding Toyota Camry.

Please keep the family of Lucas Giaconelli in your prayers, as they are coping with this terrible tragedy resulting in the loss of this young man's life. For the family's sake, we hope the driver is located or that he or she will turn himself or herself in to authorities. Witnesses or anyone with information about this accident is asked to contact sheriff's deputies at (858)565-5200. If you live in the Vista area, be on the lookout for the vehicle. The Camry has tinted windows and likely has a broken headlight and front-end damage.

Leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is against the law. Under California Vehicle Code § 20001, "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..." In this case, because the victim was in fact injured, the driver had a responsibility to stop.

Continue reading "Vista Teen Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash " »

A 63-year-old woman suffered very serious injuries Tuesday evening when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Lakeside. The January 5th accident occurred on Old Highway 80, east of Los Coches Road, at about 5:30 p.m. The woman, who was not identified, suffered broken legs and a severe head injury. The vehicle was described as a dark-colored Ford Expedition. Investigators would like to speak to witnesses who left the scene prior to the arrival of the California Highway Patrol, or anyone else with information. If you have any information related to thi accident, contact the El Cajon CHP at (619)401-2000. The CHP urges the driver to turn himself or herself in.

Hit-and-run is a very serious crime in the state of California. Leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is against the law, and there are no exceptions. According to Section 20002 of the California Vehicle code, [a] driver must stop and locate owner or person in charge and exchange driver documentation. If owner of damaged property cannot be located, the driver is not permitted to leave the scene of the accident until the following actions have been completed:a) Leave a note with facts surrounding the case and driver documentation information; or b) Report the accident to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or local police."

Continue reading "Woman Seriously Injured In Hit-and-Run Crash in Lakeside " »