A pedestrian was hit by a car when walking into UTC Mall in San Diego and the driver fled.

California – January 17, 2023

A 65-year-old woman was hit by a car while walking into the UTC Mall according to the San Diego Police Department. A 33-year-old man driving a Honda Civic was going westbound alongside the UTC mall located at 4545 La Jolla Village when he struck the woman as she began crossing the street from the parking structure to enter the mall. The driver of the Civic hit the woman on the right side of her body, causing her to go up in the air and onto his vehicle falling to the ground and the man sped away. Shortly after, the driver was found and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for a possible broken leg and other injuries. Pedestrian accidents often involve traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of TBI, resulting in hospitalization. A San Diego accident attorney can answer questions regarding options for compensation of injuries and related expenses.

Recoverable damages award.

Blunt trauma is a serious type of head injury that can occur in an automobile accident when a moving head strikes a stationary object like the windshield. It is important for accident victims to receive proper diagnostic screening even when injuries seem minor because TBI, referred to as an invisible epidemic, may have caused more damage than is visible. Head injuries can have short and long term negative effects on accident victims and TBI-related disability can cause enormous financial burdens for victims and families. If the personal injury litigation attorney is successful, a claim award will address the losses that include expenses for medical treatment, future medical expenses, changes in live expenses, lost and future wages, and compensation for any future loss of companionship, comfort, and affection.

Hit-and-run.

A hit and run driver that causes serious bodily injury to another may be charged with a misdemeanor, or a felony. If individuals are convicted of a misdemeanor violation under CVC 20001(b)(2), they may face a hit and run punishment of:

A minimum of 90 days and up to one year in jail,
A fine between $1,000 and $10,000, or
Both, imprisonment and a fine.

If individuals are convicted of a felony violation under CVC 20001(b)(2), they may face a hit and run punishment of:

Two, three, or four years in prison
A fine between $1,000 and $10,000, or
Both, imprisonment and a fine.

Comparative Negligence.

In California, when an accident was caused due to a hit-and-run action by the driver, the criminal act may have some bearing on the outcome of the personal injury civil case. An injury attorney can advise in this type of case regarding a request for an award of economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Hire a lawyer.

Accident victims should seek the counsel of San Diego lawyers as soon as possible after an accident causes them injury to determine how to proceed. An experienced attorney who is familiar with California accident laws can be reached at the Law Offices of Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, and will take action to build a winning personal injury case against negligent hit-and-run drivers who may be found at fault.

Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, a Professional Law Corporation

501 West Broadway, Suite 1650

San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 619-233-8021

Fax: 619-233-3730

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