Getting around Merced on foot can be a challenge in almost any part of the city. There aren’t enough crosswalks for secure travel and searching for ways around dangerous highways and busy streets can require a mile or more of walking.
Pedestrians are also threatened by the inattention of many drivers who barely look properly for other cars, let alone someone as defenseless as a person on foot. A texting driver or a drowsy motorist can lose focus on the lanes and anyone traveling alongside them. A distraction of only a few seconds can be enough to cause a dangerous collision that inflicts severe injury.
Man in Critical Condition After Hit-And-Run Accident in Merced
A pedestrian is recovering from severe injuries after he was struck early Monday morning in west Merced. The Merced Sun-Star reports the collision occurred around 1 a.m. along Ashby Road east of Cooper Avenue.
The Merced Police Department responded to the scene and found the 35-year-old man lying next to the roadway. The victim told investigators he had been hit by an unknown driver while walking east on Ashby Road. The man was taken to a hospital in Modesto and was reported to be in critical condition.
Police say the driver involved was traveling westbound on Ashby Road and did not stop after the impact. Merced Police are asking anyone with information about the driver or the vehicle involved to call them.
Earning Support for Hit-And-Run Victims in Merced
A frightening pedestrian accident can endanger a victim’s life and leave a family to worry over their loved one’s wellbeing. These victims deserve the best medical care available as they recover and they don’t deserve to be burdened with the extreme costs of a hospital stay and rehabilitation.
In a normal accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company would be petitioned by the victim and his or her family to provide compensation to help with these financial hardships. After a hit-and-run, victims can wonder how to reach closure under such tragic circumstances.
If a suspect is not identified, victims and their families can file a claim for damages with a car insurance company that covers the victim. This may be the victim’s personal policy or a family member’s policy that includes coverage for the victim. This claim would draw from the uninsured motorist coverage included in most car insurance policies in California.
If a suspect is located and arrested, a civil claim for damages can immediately move forward on behalf of the victim. This process can begin even as the at-fault driver faces a criminal trial. The two cases are separate. The at-fault driver’s insurance provider can be asked to pay for all medical expenses now and those expected in the years to come. The victim’s lost time at work as he or she heals can also be reimbursed.
Contact a Merced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
After a pedestrian accident involving a serious injury, contact an experienced Merced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation for you and your family. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that victims should work directly with their lawyers to make sure insurance companies are held accountable and are forced to do the right thing after an accident.
