California Highway Patrol officials in Hanford are asking for the public's help to locate a hit-and-run driver who they say critically injured Tulare County Fire Engineer Patrick Hynds. The Hanford Sentinel reports Hynds was trying to put out a vehicle fire near 4th Avenue the morning of June 26, 2010, when a white pickup truck hit both, him and Fire Captain Davon Gregory. Hynds was severely injured and airlifted to an area hospital. He remains in critical condition. Gregory escaped with minor injuries.

The hit-and-run vehicle is described as a 1990s small white pickup truck with a regular cab. If you witnessed this incident or have information about the suspect or vehicle, please contact CHP at 559-441-5400.

My heart goes out to this injured fire engineer and his family for what they are going through at this time. I hope he makes it through these injuries and goes on to make a complete recovery. Hynds and his family members will be in my prayers.

Hit-and-Run Statistics

California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics show that there were 17,158 hit-and-run collisions that resulted in fatalities or injuries in California, in 2008. A majority of these were injury car accidents. Also, 247 people were killed in 2008 due to hit-and-run crashes statewide.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash

Also, 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." Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime. In this case, I'd be interested to know whether the driver who left the scene was under the influence. I trust officials will locate this motorist in a timely manner and hold him or her accountable.

Claim for Compensation

Both Hynds and Gregory were on the job at the time of this accident. So both men will be eligible to receive workers compensation benefits provided by their employer, the fire department. However, they can also file a claim against the negligent driver to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to tell victims how their auto insurance policy applies to a hit-and-run crash or to an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

Have you ever witnessed a hit-and-run crash? How did you react? We would like to hear about your experiences.

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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