Joo Lee, a 49-year-old man, has been critically injured in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck by an SUV in Montrose. According to a CBS news report, the accident occurred the night of January 1, 2010 in the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue, when Lee was walking across Montrose Avenue with his wife. An SUV reportedly went around a slower vehicle and struck Lee. The suspect vehicle then fled westbound on Montrose Avenue. Lee was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. If you witnessed this incident or have any information, please call Investigator Bill Frommling at 818-548-3132 or after hours at 818-548-4840. If you would like to remain anonymous, you may also call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Joo Lee for what they must be going through right now. Lee was apparently taking an after-dinner walk with this wife when this accident occurred. Tragic! I hope and pray he makes a speedy and complete recovery. Lee and his family will certainly be in my prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

There were 15 deaths and 363 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 210 people died and 5,095 were injured due to pedestrian accidents in 2007. Also, countywide, 712 deaths and 56,475 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of all traffic accidents.

Hit-and-run Law

I trust that the hit-and-run driver who left the scene after striking and seriously injuring Lee will be apprehended and soon brought to justice. Motorists are required to stop at the scene of an accident, under California law. It is a serious crime to leave the scene of an accident, irrespective of who was at fault for the crash. 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."

Contacting an Experienced Injury Lawyer

Lee or his family members would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the criminal investigation and make sure that this victim is fairly compensated for his injuries, damages and loss. In this case, Lee could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy or long-term care, if his injuries are catastrophic. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether there was a dangerous condition on this Montrose roadway, which caused or contributed to the accident. If that was the case, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Any claim against a governmental agency in California must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.