Just before 9:30 pm on Thursday, August 8th, a hit-and-run accident occurred on North Fig Street in Escondido that left the victim in critical condition.

The victim, a 14-year-old boy, who may have been riding a skateboard when the collision occurred, was hit by a gray sedan, according to witnesses. The Torres family heard the collision and went outside to see what had happened, thinking their SUV had been hit. That’s when they found the victim face down in agony, lying in the street.

A 911 caller told police they saw the victim in the 1100 block of North Fig Street, lying in the road, and heard a vehicle speeding out of the area.  

Escondido Police Department Lieutenant Lee Stewart told reporters that the officers who arrived first on the scene “rendered aid to the unconscious male until the fire department took over.”

Paramedics took the victim to a trauma center for treatment of the severe injuries he sustained, say police. He is in critical condition and police have notified his family. 

Police are still investigating the crash and searching for the driver who fled the scene. 

Potential Legal Options For the Victim and His Family

In instances of hit-and-run accidents, the legal options available to victims can vary, depending on the circumstances and if the driver is found. A few options may include:

File a claim with your own insurance: if your policy includes underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to file a claim with your insurer. This may allow you to get some coverage for a portion of the damages sustained, however, the full amount available will depend on your policy limits. 

Work to find the vehicle and driver: if you are able to track down the vehicle and or the driver responsible for the hit and run, you may be able to file a claim that holds them liable.

“This situation is tragic,” says attorney Gerald Singleton of Singleton Schrieber personal injury law firm, “hit and run accidents are always difficult, but especially so when a young life hangs in the balance because of it. Our team has faith that local police will find the driver responsible for this accident. It is important that the family and victim know they may be able to pursue legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to learn more.” 

Potential damages the victim and his family may be able to obtain include coverage for:

• Medical bills
• Ongoing treatment
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• And more

If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, call the team at Singleton Schreiber (619) 771-3473 or contact by email at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your options.

Sunday evening, around 7 pm a car careened into the Pacific Beach Woodstock’s Pizza outdoor dining patio. The patio, a makeshift outdoor seating area that was one of many that popped up during covid 19, sits just inches from the street where cars pass going 35 mph. 

According to San Diego Police, one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries following the collision. 

Police did not make any arrests, and investigators do not believe alcohol played a role in the crash. 

Outdoor Patios in San Diego 

The outdoor patios such as the one at the Pacific Beach Woodstock’s Pizza are known as parklets. Parklets sprung up all around San Diego during COVID-19 to provide ventilated eating areas for diners. However, years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the parklets are still being used regularly. 

While parklets helped to save many restaurants struggling financially during the pandemic, they may be problematic now. Several cities in and around San Diego are now reconsidering parklets. Some believe it is more important to get back the extra parking spaces and deconstruct the parklets for good. This week, several cities, including Chula Vista and Encinitas, will be discussing the issue of parklets and what to do moving forward. 

Legal Options Available to Injured and Affected Victims

Victims of this collision may face financial, emotional, and physical hardships in the aftermath of the accident. They may be able to take legal action to obtain damages to lessen those burdens by filing a personal injury claim.

Personal Injury Claims

If victims can successfully prove that another party’s negligence caused or contributed to the cause of the accident, they may be able to file a personal injury claim. To be successful, one would need to show that the driver or another party failed to exercise reasonable care, and thus caused the crash and injuries. 

Compensation available in this type of claim may cover:

• Medical expenses – such as emergency treatment, hospital stays, ongoing medical care, and more
• Lost wages – income lost due to being unable to work while recovering
• Pain and suffering – compensation for physical pain and emotional distress experienced because of the accident
• Property damage – compensation to cover any personal property damaged in the collision
• And more

“This accident is unfortunate and we hope for their speedy recovery,” says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “As a personal injury attorney, I understand that accidents can have significant impacts on the victim and their family. I believe it is important that the victim knows they may have legal avenues to pursue and could consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer to learn more about their options.” 

If you’ve been injured while dining on an outdoor patio or parklet, contact the San Diego personal injury team at Singleton Schreiber today to learn how they can help you. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your options.

Last Monday, July 29th, 83-year-old Henry Broncy was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Rancho Del Oro Drive and Via Rancho in Oceanside, San Diego. 

Broncy, who was crossing the street outside of a marked pedestrian crosswalk, was hit by a vehicle driven by a 46-year-old Oceanside resident just after 7:30 am. 

First responders took Broncy to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The 46-year-old driver stayed at the scene of the crash and cooperated with police. According to authorities, he was not arrested and no charges are pending. 

 Police will continue to investigate the crash. 

What Makes Pedestrian vs Vehicle Accidents Dangerous

There are several factors that make pedestrian vs vehicle accidents so dangerous, here are the key reasons:

1. Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable – pedestrians lack any protective barriers while vehicle occupants have metal frames protecting them. This makes pedestrians much more susceptible to severe injuries from impact. Additionally, because of their lack of protection, they are at a higher risk of sustaining life-threatening injuries, or even dying. 
2. Vehicles weigh significantly more than pedestrians do, increasing the force of impact – the average vehicle weighs between 2,500 and 4,500 lbs, so even at low speeds, the force of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian is enough to inflict significant injuries. The greater the speed, the more severe the impact and increased likelihood of fatalities.
3. Height and design of vehicles can determine injury type and severity – larger vehicles, like SUVs or trucks have higher front ends. This can cause more severe injuries to pedestrians’ heads and upper bodies and increase the likelihood of catastrophic injury or fatalities. 

Unfortunately, pedestrian vs vehicle collisions are common, though they can be prevented. Both pedestrians and drivers can work together to reduce the chances of these types of accidents. Some actions that can be taken:

By pedestrians:

• Cross streets at designated crosswalks
• Avoid distractions and stay aware of your surroundings
• Before crossing in front of drivers, make eye contact to ensure they see you
• Wear clothing that helps drivers see you
• Obey traffic signals and pedestrian signs for safe crossing
• Use sidewalks whenever available
• Avoid making erratic or sudden movements

By drivers:

• Stay alert when behind the wheel and avoid distractions
• Stop for pedestrians at marked crosswalks
• Obey posted speed limits
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Exercise extra caution in poor or low visibility conditions
• Thoroughly check blind spots

“The loss of a loved one is never easy,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney of Singleton Schreiber, “Our hearts go out to the family of the victim and we hope they are able to find closure. It is important they know they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to learn more about their legal options moving forward.” 

If you’ve lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, contact the San Diego pedestrian accident attorneys at Singleton Schreiber for assistance. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today.