A three-year-old girl was struck and severely injured in Anaheim by a hit-and-run driver suspected of being involved in gang activity, according to the Orange County Register.
Karla Yulie Burgon, 3, was leaving a celebration of the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe Tuesday evening when she was struck by a speeding vehicle that fled the scene. Family members who were present at the time were in shock as the child was taken to a hospital with head injuries. Fortunately, she seems to be making a recovery at this time.
Police believe that the driver, Pedro Avila, 20, who was arrested later after witness tips, was involved in a drive-by shooting that occurred around the time the child was struck. Avila was arrested on Tuesday and charged with attempted homicide and felony hit-and-run, according to Anaheim police. Avila was traced through his vehicle, which was described by witnesses who were able to give the police a partial plate number.
My best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to this little girl.
Gang Activity on the Rise in Anaheim
While most other large cities in California experienced a decrease in violent crime, Anaheim’s rates rose by 10 percent in 2011, according to FBI statistics. Many experts believe that gang activity is the biggest factor in this rise in violent crime, especially homicides and aggravated assaults. The Anaheim Police Department is attempting to institute education programs that help parents keep their children out of gangs, but so far the efforts have had minimal success.
Liabilities Issues in Gang Crimes
While gang members may face criminal charges for their activities, individuals are not exempt from personal liability when they injure another person. Many of these individuals have little in the way of personal assets, but some have money that can be used to pay damages. In other cases, it makes sense to seek a judgment against an individual in case that person eventually has assets that can be liquidated to pay for damages.
Other Liability Issues In Hit-and-Run Cases
The person who performs a hit-and-run is not always the only source of liability in an accident. In some cases, city or county governments are liable due to roadway issues or other drivers may play a role in the accident. Further, insurance companies may be liable for payments but may also be unwilling to make those payments without being forced to do so by legal action taken by the victim.
No matter what the liability issues involved in a hit-and-run car accident, it pays for the victim to consult a personal injury attorney. Even if you do not believe there is anyone available to pay damages for your case, you can still take advantage of the free consultation most personal injury lawyers offer to find out the facts about your case and determine if there is any way for you to collect compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other costs.
