California pedestrian accident: 1 dead, 1 injured

A man was killed in a pedestrian crash in California. His adult grandson suffered injuries in the accident. The tragedy took place late at night on a recent Thursday.

How the accident occurred

The California collision occurred at about 9:30 p.m. According to police, a car hit the 85-year-old man and his 41-year-old grandson as they tried to cross a street. The reportedly fled the crash scene without contacting authorities or providing help.

Police said another driver later found the two men in the street and contacted authorities. Paramedics transported both victims to a local hospital. The grandson was deemed stable, but the grandfather did not survive his injuries. Authorities continue to look for the driver that they believe caused the fatal pedestrian accident, and a $50,000 reward was posted for information that leads to his arrest.

How an attorney can help

If police find the driver who allegedly caused the California accident (and they usually do), the injured man may decide to file a personal injury claim against the driver, seeking the reimbursement of financial damages sustained due to the crash. Likewise, the surviving loved ones of the deceased victim may file a wrongful death claim against the driver. If the driver is convicted of a crime in connection with the fatal crash, proof of the conviction may be presented in a related civil court proceeding with the goal of establishing liability in the accident. Successfully litigated civil court claims might lead to monetary damage awards to cover accident-related losses, such as funeral expenses and medical bills.