A 63-year-old woman sustained critical injuries in a San Diego car accident after she was struck by a vehicle in the Lakeside area, the night of January 5, 2010. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the woman was walking across Old Highway 80 near Los Coches Road, when an eastbound vehicle hit her. California Highway Patrol officials say that she has suffered broken legs and a severe head injury. Eyewitnesses have described the suspect vehicle as a dark-colored Ford Expedition SUV. CHP officials are asking anyone who witnessed this major injury pedestrian accident to call them at 619-401-2000 and are also urging the driver to turn himself or herself in.

My heart goes out to this critically injured victim and her family. I hope she makes it through these serious injuries and recovers completely. Please keep this injured victim and her family in your prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) there were 25 fatalities and 575 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in San Diego. Countywide, 51 deaths and 1,068 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007.

Hit-and-Run Laws

Based on this newspaper report, it is not clear where exactly the woman was walking at the time of the collision. Was she in a crosswalk or at an intersection on the highway? Was she in traffic lanes? Was the driver unable to stop in time to avoid the collision because of excessive speed? Whatever the circumstances surrounding this accident, the driver should have done the right thing and stopped at the scene. According to California law, drivers are not only required to remain at the scene of the accident, but also get help for the critically injured victim. It could be as simple as dialing 911 and getting them the medical attention they need right away.

In this case, the woman had suffered life threatening injuries, but the driver made the decision to drive away, leaving the injured victim lying on the roadway. Aside from the obvious ethical implications, hit-and-run is also a serious crime. 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."

Getting Help from an Experienced Injury Lawyer

The victim or her family in this case, would be well-advised to consult with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, 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. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway caused or contributed to this crash. If that was the case, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Any claim against a governmental entity in California must be properly filed within six months of the accident or injury. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free initial consultation to accident victims and their families.

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.