Costa Mesa, CA – Hit-and-Run Crash with Injuries involving Multiple Vehicles on 405 FWY
Costa Mesa, CA (November 29, 2022) – On Monday, November 28, a hit-and-run crash involving many vehicles was reported in Costa Mesa that resulted in injuries.
According to reports, the accident occurred on the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway, just north of the 55 Freeway. It is reported that officers determined a man was driving a Toyota Camry Solara and was traveling on the Freeway in the first lane when traffic in front of him stopped. He was traveling close to the vehicles in front of him and was unable to stop in time. In order to avoid a collision, he swerved into the HOV lane and hit a Tesla that was in that lane.
The Toyota Solara continued traveling and swerved back into the first lane, and smashed into two more vehicles. After this collision, the driver of the Solara exited his vehicle and fled the scene on foot northbound along the 405 Freeway. Once the officers arrived on the scene, they tried to locate the individual responsible for the accident, but he was unable to be found.
Paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes and tended to the injured. The driver of the Tesla sustained injuries and was transported to Hoag Hospital for further treatment. The drivers of the two additional vehicles hit did not report any injuries at the time.
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The area was closed for a time to allow police to investigate and the accident to be cleared. The police have reported that the owner of the Toyota Solara has been identified, but are still searching for him. Once apprehended, this individual faces felony hit-and-run charges.
Our thoughts are with the victim injured in this accident. We hope for their full recovery.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in California
California law states that when a person is in an accident, they must pull off the road at the scene of the accident to exchange information with the other parties. However, there is an increased number of drivers who are breaking the law and fleeing from an accident scene. Often, drivers will flee an accident when they have engaged in other illegal activities, for example, if they were driving impaired, if they have a suspended license, or do not have insurance. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident is punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the circumstances. If you’ve been involved in a crash with a driver who flees the scene, taking a series of steps, if you’re able to, can help your ability to recover a settlement. These steps are to:
- Collect as much information as possible while at the scene of the accident (i.e., make, model, color, and license plate number of the other vehicle)
- Call the police as soon as possible (so they can record the accident and investigate)
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses (this information can be given to the police when they arrive)
- Get immediate medical attention
- Report the accident to your own insurance company
Being in a car accident is a stressful event. Especially when the other driver doesn’t stop and exchange information with you, it makes the situation that much more stressful and difficult. If you’ve suffered injuries, you may worry more about how you will pay for your medical care, expenses, and lost wages if you can’t work for some time. Victims of hit-and-run accidents are still entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering as a result of the accident, even when the at-fault other driver leaves the scene and if they aren’t ultimately apprehended. This coverage is under California’s uninsured motorist coverage (UM), which each driver has under their own insurance policy.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you should speak to an experienced car accident lawyer right away, who can walk you through the process of submitting a claim for compensation for your injuries and other damages. Contact a Costa Mesa car accident attorney by calling (888) 539-3154 to see how we can help you.
Note: This post was created through the use of secondary sources such as state and local news sources, police accident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious injury accidents that take place in Orange County. The facts surrounding this accident have not been independently verified, therefore, if any information is incorrect, please contact Russell & Lazarus APC, Personal Injury Lawyer, so we can update the post with the most accurate information available. We will remove this post upon request.
Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business. None of the information in this post is intended to be medical or legal advice. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene.