Two children, ages 4 and 6, sustained serious injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after they were struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the injury pedestrian accident occurred the morning of December 8, 2009 in the 7600 block of Corbin Avenue in Reseda. Both children were seriously hurt and were airlifted to a Los Angeles hospital. However, both are now listed in stable condition. The driver that hit the children fled the scene of the accident. Police are looking for the hit-and-run vehicle and driver.

My heart goes out to these two injured children and their families. What a nightmare this must be for their parents! I wish both these children the very best for a quick and complete recovery. I hope neither of them sustained catastrophic injuries. They will certainly be in my prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

There were 90 deaths and 2,690 injuries involving pedestrian car accidents in the city of Los Angeles, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics. In Los Angeles County, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents. Also, countywide, 712 deaths and 56,475 injuries occurred during the same year due to car accidents in Los Angeles County.

What kind of person would strike two little children and flee the scene of a crash? Despicable! I truly hope this individual will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime in California. According to California Vehicle Code section 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."

Crosswalk Laws in California

It is not clear, based on this report, whether these children were walking in a crosswalk at an intersection. California law states motorists should yield right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking at an intersection whether in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."

The young victims' family or families would be well-advised to consult with experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, who will stay on top of the criminal investigation, make sure the family's rights are protected and that they receive just compensation for the damages and loss they have suffered. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased car accident victims may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation to cover funeral or medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of companionship and other related damages. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise the family about how their own car insurance policy will apply to a hit-and-run accident or an incident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist, and how a claim for compensation may be filed.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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