Hit and Run Accident

Know What to Do Next ~

In the United States, someone suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every 15 seconds. A TBI is the most frequent cause of disability or death among children and adolescents, according to the Brain Injury Association. Approximately five million head injuries occur every year, and most result from what appears to be only a bump or bruise to the head, but is actually quite a bit more serious.

What Are the Symptoms?

Any head trauma has the possibility of also causing injury to the brain. A head injury can be suspicious for brain damage if the following symptoms are present: unconsciousness, headache, convulsions, dazed expression, drowsiness, vomiting, memory loss or amnesia concerning the injury, as well as unequal pupil size. In addition, more obvious symptoms can include a bloody nose or bleeding from the ear without any noticeable fractures or cuts. Following a head injury, it is important to keep close tabs on any changes and be prepared for questions such as, “When did this change begin?” Try to recall specifics surrounding your fall or accident and when your first noticed impairment. For example, if you’re feeling anxious or disoriented, what do you think may have brought this on?

Brain Injury Checklist

Take a look below at these common changes, including personality, neurological, intellectual and psychological impairments following a head injury.

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Protect Your Health and Your Legal Rights ~

If you’re involved in any kind of vehicular accident, there are certain rules you should follow. Some of these rules are required by law, others are there to protect your rights. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in an auto accident, a bicycle accident, a motorcycle accident, or are hit by any one of them while walking down the sidewalk as a pedestrian. These rules apply in all situations. While you should always consult with a personal injury attorney for legal advice immediately following any accident, you also need to know, in advance, what to do in case of an emergency.

Remain as calm as possible. Being involved in an accident is almost always an emotional experience. You may be afraid of potential consequences. You may also be in pain. However, staying as calm as you can is in your best interest. You will be less likely to say or do something that could be detrimental should legal proceedings result.

First, if anyone was injured in the accident, call 911. “Anyone” means yourself and passengers in your vehicle as well as other drivers, and passengers in other vehicles. Emergency personnel should be contacted even if the injuries seem minor. Second, call the police so the facts of the accident can be documented. In most instances, a single call to 911 will likely dispatch both the police and paramedics.  (Note: In certain instances, the police may refuse to come or prepare a report.)

Even if you believe the accident was entirely your fault, do not make any statements to that effect. Doing so can have serious legal consequences, and might even affect your insurance coverage. You are not obligated to provide this information before obtaining legal advice.

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Police are searching for a driver who seriously injured a man in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Van Nuys, according to My Fox LA.

The accident occurred on Victory Boulevard, just west of Fulton Avenue when a dark colored sedan, heading west on Victory, struck a man who was in the street, about 15 feet west of the crosswalk. It’s not known what he was doing in the street at the time of the pedestrian accident.

The driver at-fault kept going and did not stop at the scene. Another driver stopped and called 911, giving authorities a description of the vehicle. If caught, the driver may be charged with a felony hit-and-run. Anyone with information should contact the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Bureau at 818-644-8000.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are not uncommon in California, which has one of the highest rates of hit-and-runs in the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When someone leaves the scene of an accident, their car insurance cannot be used to pay for the property damage and medical expenses of the other parties involved unless the driver is located. Instead, the other individuals involved in the accident must use their own insurance to pay for automobile repairs and medical expenses. A skilled lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you need following a hit-and-run crash to cover medical expenses and other damages.

Have you been injured in an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver? If so, contact the Van Nuys hit-and-run accident attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm. We can help you understand the legal options available to you. Contact us today at 818-886-6600.

A hit-and-run accident in Southern California that occurred January 31, 2010 resulted in the investigation of four Manhattan Beach police officers that had not reported the event. According to an article on the LA Times Blog, the three-car collision was allegedly caused by one of the four officers under review. Authorities believe that alcohol may have been involved in the auto accident.

When the officers arrived at the scene, near Sepulveda and Manhattan Beach boulevards, the suspected driver had already fled. Later, the vehicle was found unoccupied at a nearby gas station. The officers proceeded to conduct a standard registration check, which indicated that it belonged to a registered Manhattan Beach police officer. Upon receiving this information, the officers did not report the event and no resulting arrests were made.

After a preliminary internal affairs investigation, the offending officers were placed on leave. Because of the complexity and gravity of these events, the investigation has been transferred to the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department.

California has among the highest rates of hit-and-run accidents in the nation. By law, drivers who are involved in any motor vehicle accidents are required to stop and exchange information with parties involved. In hit-and-run cases, victims are left to use their own insurance or pay out-of-pocket for any damages and injuries.

If you have been a victim of a hit-and-run accident in the San Fernando Valley, help may be available. The experienced Northridge car accident injury lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm have a wealth of knowledge in handling hit-and-run accident claims and can provide hands-on care and sincere commitment for victims of hit-and-run accidents as well as wrongful death suits. Call our offices today at (818) 886-6600 for a free and comprehensive consultation of your case.

Source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/manhattan-beach-police-probe.html