A pedestrian suffered serious head injuries in an Orange County car accident after a driver struck him as he was walking in a marked crosswalk, and then fled the scene of the accident. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man, who police say is an off-duty firefighter, was crossing South Coast Highway in a marked crosswalk at Brooks Street in Laguna Beach the morning of December 5, 2009. Eyewitnesses told police that a newer model four-door Toyota Prius or Corolla struck the man and did not even pause or slow down before driving away from the accident scene. The hit-and-run vehicle was last seen near Nyes Place.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious head injuries. However, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Police are still looking for the driver who fled the scene of this injury collision. They say that the car would have noticeable front-end damage and maybe, a broken windshield. If you witnessed this accident or have information about the hit-and-run vehicle or suspect, please contact Laguna Beach police at 949-497-0701.

Tragic Hit-and-Run Injured Pedestrian

My heart goes out to this injured firefighter and his family. I hope and pray that his head injuries were not major and that he makes a quick and complete recovery from his serious injuries. The victim of this pedestrian accident will certainly be in my prayers.

I trust the hit-and-run driver in this case will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. If the details of this news report are accurate, this driver committed two serious violations of California law. First, he failed to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk.

California Car Accident Laws

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."

It is also a serious crime to leave the scene of an accident. Drivers are required to remain at the scene, get help for the injured victim and exchange information such as insurance, contact and identification. 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."

The victim or his family in this case, would be well-advised to retain the services of a truly reputed Orange County personal injury attorney, who has a successful track record of holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise the victim about how his car insurance will apply to a hit-and-run accident or in a case where the at-fault driver has no insurance or has insufficient insurance coverage.

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.