Three people were hurt by a hit and run driver in Woodland on Sunday.  The California Highway Patrol reports that  around 2 p.m. a red SUV, possibly a Mitsubishi, was traveling west bound on Interstate 80 near the County Road 32A exit when it changed lanes and struck the back end of a white Ford Taurus driven by Jose Antonio Delacruz, 36, of Sacramento.  As a result of the first impact, Delacruz’s Taurus veered to the left and slammed into the center divider before bouncing back into the path of an oncoming Mercedes SUV driven by Antoliy E. Keush, 34, of San Francisco.   The Taurus struck the Mercedes, which then rolled several times. This California hit and run accident just adds to the already staggering statistics for the state.

The driver of the red SUV did not stop and authorities are asking that anyone with information regarding this collision call the California Highway Patrol at (530)662-4685.

Mr. Delacruz was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center with minor injuries.  Mr. Keush sustained cuts and on his arms and legs and was treated at the scene, and his passenger, Kseniya Sanakina, 23,  was taken to U.C. Davis Medical Center with a possibly broken leg.

Hit & Run Accidents in California

Unfortunately, some of the worst drivers are also the most irresponsible drivers.  California law makes it a misdemeanor to leave the scene of a collision without stopping unless someone suffers serious bodily injury, in which case it becomes a felony.  Despite these potential penalties, California Highway Patrol statistics  indicate that 22,091 safe drivers were injured in 2008 by irresponsible drivers who caused hit and run collisions.

Besides driving defensively, the best way to protect yourself against hit and run drivers is to have adequate uninsured motorist coverage in your own policy.  If you are injured by someone driving a hit and run vehicle or an unsinsured vehicle, the uninsured motorist coverage in your policy will provide coverage for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering to the extent of the other driver’s liability.  In the above scenario, the hit and run driver was legally liable for all of the damages sustained by Mr. Delacruz, Mr. Keush and Ms. Sanakina because he made an unsafe lane change.  However, responsible driver will never be found.  However, if there is uninsured motorist coverage on the Taurus and the Mercedes, the occupants of those vehicles should be compensated for their losses.

Seek The Help of a Qualified California Personal Injury Lawyer

Insurance companies do not usually cooperate in paying all that is owed to an uninsured motorist claimant.  If you or a loved one is injured  by a hit and run driver, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney.  In hit and run cases, a knowledgeable California Personal Injury Lawyer can investigate and, if possible, hold the hit and run driver responsible for his or her actions.  A good California Auto Accident Attorney will advise you of all your rights with regard to a civil claim for damages and recovery under all available insurance policies.

The Demas & Rosenthal personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Demas & Rosenthal will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.