Another San Francisco pedestrian has been the victim of a hit-and-run accident. The pedestrian accident happened on Christmas Day near the campus of San Francisco State University. A 15-year-old girl was struck while she was walking at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Winston Drive. According to police, she was hit by a woman in a silver or gray Mercedes-Benz.

The teenager sustained serious injuries in the accident, including several fractured bones. She will have to undergo numerous surgeries to repair her injuries. The accident investigation is still underway as police continue to search for the driver.

The accident is yet another in a stream of pedestrian accidents in the San Francisco area. Like the girl in this story, victims may sustain serious or fatal injuries. The injuries may require extensive surgery or medical treatment. This can be both costly and life-altering. For this reason, Bay Area pedestrians should know that they may be entitled to file a personal injury claim if they are injured in an accident caused by another person's misconduct or recklessness.

People may be interested to know that most legal claims from accidents involving injuries do not go to trial. The majority of cases are resolved earlier in the process through a negotiated settlement. Whether people's cases are settled or go to trial, the most important thing is that people recover compensation for the injuries they have sustained.

This compensation can include a variety of costs. Medical expenses, lost wages and rehabilitative costs may all be covered. In some cases, people may also be able to recover for their pain and suffering.

Source: SF Appeal, "SFPD seeking driver of grey Mercedes in Christmas hit and run," Dan McMenamin, Jan. 9, 2013