A man was injured in a car accident in the San Francisco Bay Area after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver the evening of August 26, 2010. According to a news report in The Santa Cruz Sentinel, a black 2008 Ford Focus swerved in front of the motorcycle on Highway 1 causing a rear-end collision near Morrissey Boulevard. The Focus exited the freeway and continued on without contacting the authorities. The motorcyclist was hospitalized, but his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

I'm relieved to note that the motorcyclist did not sustain critical injuries in this crash. I wish the injured victim a complete and speedy recovery. I trust this hit-and-run driver will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. Please visit our web site, www.hitandrunreward.com to learn more about our program, which aims to eradicate hit-and-run crashes in California.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities but 33 personal injuries in Santa Cruz motorcycle accidents. In Santa Cruz County as a whole, seven people died and 139 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents.

Car Accident Laws

It is illegal under California law to leave the scene of an injury accident. California Vehicle Code Section 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."

It also appears that the Ford Focus may have made an unsafe lane change here. California Vehicle Code Section 21658 (a) states that whenever a roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction the vehicle "shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety."

Claim for Compensation

In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing is apparent, it would be in the best interests of injured victims to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the investigation and make sure that their legal rights are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can also advise victims about how their car 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 been the victim of a hit-and-run crash?

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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