Santa Ana, CA – Hit-and-Run Crash with Injuries at I-15N & Lake Forest Dr
Santa Ana, CA (January 1, 2023) – On Saturday, December 31, a hit-and-run crash was reported in Santa Ana that resulted in injuries.
According to California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 10:40 p.m. on I-15N at Lake Forest Drive. The accident happened when a vehicle merged into another vehicle, causing a collision. The driver that crashed into the second vehicle did not stop at the accident scene but fled without stopping to check on the occupants of the other vehicle. There is no indication at this time as to whether the police have apprehended the suspect or are still searching.
Emergency personnel was immediately called. Police and paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes and tended to the injured. The vehicle that was hit sustained significant damage as a result of the collision. Officials report that injuries were sustained in the accident, however, there is no information at this time as to the extent of the injuries or the number of people injured in the accident.
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.
Our thoughts are with the victim injured in this accident. We hope for their full recovery.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in California
Southern California is one of the most densely populated metropolitan areas in the nation. Most people in Southern California own a vehicle, which makes for very busy roads and highways. As such, many accidents occur every day on these congested roads. In fact, every year, nearly 200,000 traffic accidents occur in the Gold State. If you include minor accidents, where no injuries are initially reported, the estimated number of total traffic accidents each year is closer to 500,000.
The number of hit-and-run accidents in California is becoming more frequent. In recent years, more people are driving recklessly and breaking the law. Reckless driving is now the major cause of most accidents in the state. Sadly, when someone has broken the law and caused a serious accident, they don’t think about the other people involved. They are fearful of getting caught and flee the scene of the accident. Perhaps the person was driving impaired, has a suspended license, or has broken the law in some other way. However, they must be brought to justice for the damage they have caused. California law states that all parties to an accident must pull off the road at the scene to exchange information. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident is a punishable offense and will be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony offense.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you are still entitled to compensation, even if the other party is not found. Adapting to life after an accident can be a difficult process, and the attorneys at Russell & Lazarus APC will help in every way possible. You should speak to an experienced car accident lawyer right away, who will explain your legal rights and options and help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet. Contact a Santa Ana 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.