California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
The Intersection of Del Amo and Hawthorne boulevards in Torrance, California was the scene of a significant car accident. According to Eyewitness News, five cars were involved in a hit-and-run crash in the area of this intersection. It occurred in the mid-morning hours on Tuesday the 14th of November. One individual died at the scene of the automobile accident while another person was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries resulting from the crash. The accident was major enough to cause the intersection of these two roads to be shut down while police investigate.
While the actual cause of the wreck is still being determined by an investigation by the police, sources have confirmed that the investigation is looking at this accident as a collision caused by a hit-and-run driver. There are currently two people in custody following this crash, and more information should be released as investigators continue to connect the dots. The hit and run driver potentially faces criminal charges as well as a Torrance wrongful death claim.
Fault and Hit-and-Run Accidents
Whether unintentional or intentional, drivers that leave the scene of an accident that they cause are not only responsible for the damage the accident caused, but have now broken the law. Some believe that if they weren’t at fault for the accident, that they aren’t required to move forward with the typical niceties that happen after a crash. It doesn’t matter if there was only property damage or more serious injuries. It’s a crime to leave the scene of any accident no matter who’s at fault for the crash. California law requires you to stop and remain long enough to exchange information with the other driver before you can leave.
You may think that since the damage was only done to your vehicle, or the only injuries were to you or your passenger, that it’s okay to leave, but that’s not the case. Leaving the scene of an accident can still result in potential felony or misdemeanor charges for you as a driver if you don’t leave your contact information.
However, there’s one reason that you can possibly be justified in leaving the scene without stopping, that is if you leave the scene to seek necessary emergency medical attention for you or your passenger. Often, this requires you to return to the scene after medical care has been obtained.
A hit-and-run accident can be a scary event. If you or your loved one has been involved in a hit-and-run where an injury occurred, contact us at Walch Law. We’re here to help you with moving forward after your accident. Learn more about your rights after this type of accident, and how you can pursue your case. Contact us today to discuss the events surrounding your accident.