Police Release Hit-and-Run Vehicle Description
Police have asked for the public’s help in identifying a Nissan Altima they say was involved in a recent fatal hit-and-run crash, according to reports. The crash killed UC San Diego professor Anouchka Mihaylova, 62, who was walking on the sidewalk in the 11800 block of Rancho Bernardo Road with her husband at the time of the accident.
Mihaylova was struck by a 2005 or 2006 silver- or pewter-colored Nissan Altima, according to witnesses. She died at the scene, and the driver fled, leaving behind a broken-off side mirror. The car would have sustained damage to the passenger side of the front end.
Police are asking anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately and help identify the driver who fled from the fatal accident scene.
Mihaylova was working on artificial heart research at the university and was walking with her husband to a restaurant when the crash occurred.
Hit-and-Run: Deadly Common
Hit-and-run accidents have become an epidemic on California streets. According to recent statistics, California has the highest rate of hit-and-run accidents of any state. In fact, California’s hit-and-run rates are twice that of the next-closest state, Arizona.
Every year, at least 300 people are killed in hit-and-run California crashes. Many of these victims are pedestrians, as drivers are quicker to run from a pedestrian or bicycle crash than a car crash. Many experts believe that California’s high number of unlicensed drivers has an effect on the rate of hit-and-run crashes, as an unlicensed driver is less likely to stop after an accident.
What Can I Do If I Am The Victim of a Hit-and-Run Crash?
If you have suffered injuries as the result of a hit-and-run driver, you may have options for collecting compensation to pay for your expenses even if the driver is not located. If you have uninsured motorist coverage on your car, for example, that coverage may pay if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver.
However, it can be difficult to collect from an insurance company in the case of a hit-and-run accident. Daniel M. Gilleon, a personal injury attorney in San Diego, may be able to help you recover damages in these cases. Contact Daniel M. Gilleon today to learn more about how to recover payments for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses as a result of your injuries in a hit-and-run crash.
