A motorcycle officer was injured in an Oakland car accident the afternoon of May 5, 2010 after a vehicle struck him at a city intersection. According to a CBS News report, the Alameda County Sheriff's deputy was on his way to the Oakland International Airport when his motorcycle was hit by a dark-colored Volkswagen Jetta at the intersection of B Street and 98th Avenue. The driver of the Jetta failed to stop and fled the scene of the crash. Authorities said the collision was so intense that the car's grill came out and fell down at the site. The suspect, a 34-year-old woman, was arrested a few hours later on suspicion of felony hit-and-run. The deputy was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries, which were not life-threatening.


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Driver Fled the Scene of the Crash

My heart goes out to this sheriff's deputy who was apparently injured on-the-job. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. According to officials, a couple who witnessed the crash stopped at the scene and parked their car so that the deputy would be protected from oncoming traffic until emergency personnel arrived. I commend this couple for doing the right thing – something the driver of the Jetta failed to do.

Motorcycle Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 159 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Oakland. In Alameda County as a whole, motorcycle accidents claimed 14 lives and caused 489 injuries during the same year.

Laws and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear whose fault the accident was. However, the female driver of the Jetta is facing felony hit-and-run charges for failing to stop at the scene of the accident. According to California Vehicle Code 20001 (a): "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

In this particular case, the injured officer will receive workers compensation benefits because he was on-the-job at the time. An experienced Oakland personal injury lawyer will be able to better explain about the victims' legal rights and options in such cases. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer should also advise victims about how the uninsured motorist clause in their car insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

What are some ideas you have to deter drivers from leaving the scene of a crash? We would like to hear from you.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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