Westminster, CA – Injuries Reported in Hit-and-Run Accident at SR-22 & Beach Blvd
Westminster, CA (December 26, 2022) – On Friday evening, December 23, a hit-and-run crash was reported in Westminster that resulted in injuries.
According to California Highway Patrol, an accident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the vicinity of the State Route 22 and Beach Boulevard interchange. A vehicle was traveling on the westbound SR-22 when it was crashed into by a second vehicle that was traveling on the same highway. The driver of the second vehicle did not stop at the accident scene but immediately fled without stopping to check on the other driver. There is no indication as to whether the police have apprehended the suspect or are still searching for them.
Emergency personnel was immediately called. Police and paramedics arrived shortly. The vehicle that was hit sustained significant damage as a result of the collision. Paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes and tended to the injured occupants of the vehicle. Officials report that significant 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 the police to investigate and the accident to be cleared.
Our thoughts are with the victims injured in this accident. We hope for their full recovery.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in California
Hit-and-Run accidents in California are becoming more frequent in recent years. In California, more than 19,000 people are injured each year from hit-and-run accidents, which equates to more than 52 people each day. Sadly, the number of deaths resulting from hit-and-run accidents is also on the rise. Research indicates that hit-and-run deaths rose from 1,342 in 2010 to 1,939 in 2019, which is a 44% increase.
California law states that when you are involved in an accident, you must stop and remain at the accident scene to exchange your license and insurance information. However, this often doesn’t happen. Drivers will flee an accident when they have engaged in other illegal activities, such as drinking and driving, driving with a suspended license, or without insurance. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident is punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the circumstances.
Being in a car accident is one of the most stressful things to experience in life. When the other driver doesn’t stop to exchange information with you, it makes the situation much more stressful and difficult. Especially if you’re injured, you may worry more about who will pay for your medical care, expenses, and lost wages if you can’t work for some time. The police have a very high success rate of finding people who flee from an accident. In the event the person that hit you is not located, many victims of hit-and-run accidents don’t realize that they are still entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering as a result of the accident. This is typically covered under California’s uninsured motorist coverage (UM) that each driver has under their insurance policy. A knowledgeable attorney can explain to you what your options are for pursuing compensation for your damages.
If you or a family member were hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you should speak to an experienced car accident lawyer right away, who will walk you through the process of filing a claim and will help you understand your rights and how much you may be entitled to as compensation. Contact a Westminster 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.