An off-duty firefighter sustained major injuries in an Orange County car accident after he was struck by a motorist in a marked crosswalk, The Orange County Register reports. The injury collision occurred the morning of December 5, 2009 when the man was walking across South Coast Highway at Brooks Street in Laguna Beach. Witnesses to this horrific crash told police that the driver who struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk sped away from the scene without a moment's hesitation.

The pedestrian, who sustained serious head injuries, was taken to an area hospital. Officials say that the victim's injuries are not life-threatening and that he is expected to survive. Laguna Beach police are still looking for the suspect vehicle and driver, who is at large. The vehicle was last seen near Nyes Place and is said to have front-end damage and possibly, a broken windshield. Anyone who saw the accident is asked to call Laguna Beach police at 949-497-0701.

I sympathize with this injured pedestrian and his family for what they are going through right now. I wish this victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep this victim and his family in your prayers.

Orange County Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics, one fatality and 16 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in Laguna Beach. In Orange County as a whole, 41 deaths and 726 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007. Also countywide, 178 deaths and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.

California Car Accident Laws

The hit-and-run driver will hopefully be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The motorist should face charges for committing two serious traffic violations here – striking a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk – and a criminal felony hit-and-run charge for fleeing the scene of an accident. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states that the driver of a vehicle must yield right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at the intersection. Also, California Vehicle Code 20001 requires motorists to stop at the scene of an accident.

An experienced Orange County personal injury attorney can help this family hold the negligent driver accountable for his or her actions. A skilled car accident lawyer will also look into how the victim's car insurance policy will apply to this case.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.