A San Antonio woman has been hospitalized after she was hit by a vehicle late Wednesday night, local police said.
About the Hit-and-Run Crash in San Antonio
Around 11 p.m., the San Antonio Police Department and EMS both answered a call about a hit-and-run on North Zarzamora Street near West Commerce Street, just west of downtown.
Police said a woman was walking across North Zarzamora without using a crosswalk and against the light when she was struck by a white sedan traveling south. Although the sedan momentarily stopped after the collision, it fled the scene before police arrived.
The woman, who did not possess any identification, was taken to University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
If found, the driver of the vehicle may face a charge of failure to stop and render aid.
Hit-and-Run Crashes Are of Growing Concern
According to research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads. In 2016, there were 1,980 fatal hit-and-run crashes resulting in 2,049 fatalities.
Many hit-and-runs happen because people are not paying attention to the road. Allowing yourself to become distracted by devices, conversations, or anything else can put you or a pedestrian in danger.
“It is every driver’s legal and moral responsibility to take necessary precautions to avoid hitting a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another vehicle,” Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA, said in 2018. “While no one likes being involved in a crash, leaving the scene will significantly increase the penalties for drivers—whether they caused the crash or not.”
Leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident can lead to increased charges, points on your record, fines, suspended licenses, and even jail time.
Hit-and-Run Statistics
The information below was taken from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
- An average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes occurred each year since 2006.
- Nearly 65 percent of people killed in hit-and-run crashes were pedestrians or bicyclists.
- Hit-and-run deaths in the U.S. have increased an average of 7.2 percent each year since 2009.
- Per capita, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida have the highest rate of fatal hit-and-run crashes while New Hampshire, Maine, and Minnesota have the lowest rates.
Contact an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash, contact Thomas J. Henry. Our experienced auto accident attorneys have experience handling a multitude of injury accidents, no matter how severe the crash or injury. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages if another driver acted negligently. Our firm has the experienced lawyers and financial resources that you need to achieve the real results you deserve.
Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Call us today for a free case review — attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends. If you cannot make it to our office, we can visit you at your home, in the hospital, or at work.
