A pedestrian suffered injuries after being struck by a hit-and-run driver at a Modesto intersection on Friday evening, January 2, 2025. The collision occurred during the early evening hours in a busy commercial area of the city, and authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The incident marks a troubling start to the new year for Modesto’s pedestrian safety record and highlights the ongoing challenges that California communities face in protecting vulnerable road users.
Hit-and-run collisions are particularly devastating because they not only cause physical harm but also demonstrate a shocking disregard for human life and legal responsibility. As investigators work to identify the fleeing driver, the victim’s family and the broader community are left seeking answers about how this preventable tragedy occurred and what can be done to ensure the responsible party is held accountable.
Details of the Modesto Hit-and-Run Collision
According to the California Highway Patrol, the pedestrian accident happened at approximately 5:34 p.m. at the intersection of Nunes Road and Golden State Boulevard. A pedestrian was walking in the area when they were struck by a vehicle. Rather than stopping to render aid or exchange information as required by law, the driver immediately fled the scene.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection shortly after the collision was reported. Paramedics provided medical treatment at the scene before transporting the injured pedestrian to a local hospital. The victim’s current medical condition has not been disclosed, and their identity has not been released pending family notification.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the hit-and-run driver has been located or identified. The investigation into the collision remains active as law enforcement works to determine precisely how the crash occurred and to identify the fleeing motorist.
The Serious Problem of Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents represent one of the most troubling categories of traffic collisions in California. When a driver strikes a pedestrian and flees the scene, they compound the harm by denying the victim immediate assistance and making it more difficult for authorities to hold the responsible party accountable.
California law requires all drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to stop immediately at the scene. Drivers must provide their identification and insurance information, render reasonable assistance to injured parties, and notify law enforcement. Failing to do so constitutes a serious crime that can result in felony charges, particularly when the collision causes injury.
Pedestrians are exceptionally vulnerable in traffic collisions because they lack any protective barriers between themselves and vehicles. Even accidents occurring at relatively low speeds can cause severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, and extensive soft tissue injuries. When drivers flee rather than calling for help, pedestrians may suffer additional harm due to delayed medical treatment.
Intersection Safety Concerns in Modesto
The intersection of Nunes Road and Golden State Boulevard is located in a commercial area of Modesto that experiences significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Golden State Boulevard serves as a central north-south corridor through the city, while Nunes Road connects residential neighborhoods to commercial districts.
Pedestrian safety at busy intersections depends on several factors, including proper crosswalk markings, adequate lighting, clear sightlines, appropriate speed limits, and driver attentiveness. Even when infrastructure is sufficient, pedestrian accidents can occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way, become distracted, drive under the influence, or fail to see pedestrians in their path.
Evening hours present additional challenges for pedestrian safety, as reduced visibility makes it more difficult for drivers to see people walking near or crossing roadways. Pedestrians wearing dark clothing or crossing in areas with inadequate lighting face heightened risks during these hours.
Legal Rights of Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Victims
Pedestrians injured in hit-and-run collisions face unique challenges in pursuing compensation for their injuries. However, California law provides several avenues for recovery even when the at-fault driver cannot immediately be identified.
If the hit-and-run driver is eventually located and identified, injured pedestrians can file claims against that driver’s insurance policy or pursue legal action directly against the driver. The victim may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other accident-related losses.
When the responsible driver cannot be identified or lacks adequate insurance, injured pedestrians may be able to recover compensation through their own uninsured motorist coverage. Many people are unaware that uninsured motorist policies typically cover hit-and-run accidents, treating the unknown driver as an uninsured motorist for the claim.
Additionally, if the pedestrian was struck while walking to or from work, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of whether the hit-and-run driver is identified. Workers’ compensation can provide medical care, temporary disability payments, and compensation for permanent impairment.
The legal process following a hit-and-run pedestrian accident is often complex, involving coordination with law enforcement investigations, the careful preservation of evidence, timely notification of insurance carriers, and navigating strict procedural requirements. Having experienced legal representation helps ensure that all potential sources of recovery are identified and pursued.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident
Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles—or witnesses to such collisions—should take several necessary steps to protect the victim’s health and legal rights:
Seek immediate medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor initially, pedestrian accident victims should always receive prompt medical evaluation. Some serious injuries, including internal bleeding, head trauma, and spinal damage, may not produce obvious symptoms right away. Emergency medical treatment also creates necessary documentation of injuries.
Report the accident to the police. Law enforcement should always be notified of hit-and-run accidents. Officers will document the scene, gather witness statements, and investigate to identify the fleeing driver. A police report provides crucial evidence for both criminal prosecution and civil claims.
Gather evidence if possible. If the victim or witnesses can safely do so, they should try to note details about the vehicle that fled, including its make, model, color, license plate number, direction of travel, and any distinguishing features. Photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries can also be valuable.
Identify witnesses. Anyone who saw the collision or the fleeing vehicle should provide their contact information to the police and to the victim. Witness testimony can be essential for both locating the at-fault driver and establishing what happened.
Notify your insurance company. If you have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, you typically must provide prompt notice of a hit-and-run accident. Failure to do so within the required timeframe could jeopardize your ability to collect benefits.
Consult with a pedestrian accident attorney. Because hit-and-run cases involve complex legal issues and multiple potential sources of compensation, injured pedestrians benefit from having experienced legal guidance from the outset. An attorney can ensure that critical deadlines are met and that all available insurance coverage is pursued.
How GJEL Accident Attorneys Can Help
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we have extensive experience representing pedestrians injured in hit-and-run collisions throughout California. Our firm understands the unique challenges these cases present and knows how to pursue maximum compensation for our clients even when identifying the at-fault driver proves difficult.
We thoroughly investigate every pedestrian accident we handle, working closely with law enforcement, interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts as needed. Our goal is to identify all potentially responsible parties and all available sources of compensation.
Our team’s approach to hit-and-run pedestrian cases goes beyond standard legal representation—we become advocates for justice and accountability in our clients’ darkest hours. We immediately dispatch investigators to accident scenes to document evidence before it disappears, canvass the area for additional witnesses and surveillance cameras, and work closely with law enforcement to support their efforts to identify fleeing drivers.
Our attorneys have established relationships with medical professionals who can provide comprehensive evaluations and expert testimony about the full extent of our clients’ injuries, ensuring that future medical needs and long-term complications are correctly accounted for in settlement demands. We also understand the emotional toll that hit-and-run accidents take on victims and their families—the sense of violation, the unanswered questions, the fear that the responsible party may never be found.
That’s why we keep our clients informed at every stage of the process, explain complex legal concepts in plain language, and provide compassionate support while aggressively pursuing every available avenue for compensation. Whether we’re negotiating with uninsured motorist carriers, pursuing claims against identified hit-and-run drivers, or exploring other insurance coverage options, our commitment remains the same: to secure the maximum financial recovery possible so our clients can focus on healing and rebuilding their lives.
Our attorneys handle every aspect of the legal process, allowing injured pedestrians to focus on their recovery. We deal directly with insurance companies, gather necessary medical documentation, calculate the full extent of our clients’ damages, and negotiate aggressively for fair settlements. When insurance companies refuse to offer adequate compensation, we’re fully prepared to take cases to trial.
GJEL Accident Attorneys works on a contingency fee basis, which means our clients pay no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on their behalf. We advance all case expenses and only collect our fee as a percentage of the recovery we obtain. This “no win, no fee” structure ensures that everyone has access to quality legal representation regardless of their financial circumstances.
Understanding Hit-and-Run Accident Settlement Calculators
When pedestrians are injured in hit-and-run accidents, understanding the potential value of their claim can be challenging and overwhelming. Hit-and-run accident settlement calculators serve as valuable tools that help victims estimate the compensation they may be entitled to receive based on the specific circumstances of their case.
These calculators typically consider multiple factors, including medical expenses (both past and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and other economic and non-economic damages. By inputting information about medical treatments received, time missed from work, severity of injuries, and ongoing limitations, victims can gain a preliminary understanding of what their case might be worth.
However, it’s essential to recognize that settlement calculators provide only general estimates and cannot account for all the nuanced factors that influence case value, such as the strength of available evidence, the quality of legal representation, the jurisdiction where the claim is filed, and the specific insurance policies involved. Hit-and-run cases add additional complexity because compensation may come from uninsured motorist coverage rather than a traditional liability claim, which can affect settlement negotiations.
While these calculators offer helpful starting points for understanding potential compensation, they should never replace consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate the unique aspects of your case, identify all available sources of recovery, and fight to maximize your settlement or verdict. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we provide free case evaluations that go far beyond what any calculator can offer, giving you a personalized analysis based on our decades of experience successfully handling hit-and-run pedestrian accident cases throughout California. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Taking the First Step Toward Justice
“Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are among the most distressing cases I handle because the victims are left without answers at a time when they’re already suffering from serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been struck by a driver who fled the scene, please know that you still have legal options even if the driver hasn’t been identified yet. Many people are unaware that their auto insurance policy may provide uninsured motorist coverage that applies to hit-and-run accidents. Time is critical in these cases—evidence can disappear, surveillance footage can be erased, and witnesses’ memories can fade. I encourage anyone injured in a hit-and-run to seek medical attention immediately, report the incident to police, and consult with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who can preserve evidence, identify all potential sources of compensation, and fight to hold the responsible party accountable. You shouldn’t have to face the physical, emotional, and financial burden of someone else’s reckless decision to flee. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing.” — Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Modesto or anywhere throughout California, don’t face this challenging time alone. The experienced legal team at GJEL Accident Attorneys is ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We understand that pedestrian accident victims are often dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the physical and emotional trauma of their injuries—which is why we operate on a strict contingency fee basis.
This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront, no retainer fees, no hourly charges, and no out-of-pocket costs for our legal services. We only collect our attorney fees if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf, and we advance all case expenses incurred during the legal process. Our “no win, no fee” promise ensures that financial concerns never prevent injured victims from accessing top-tier legal representation.
With over 50 years of combined experience and more than $1 billion recovered for our clients, GJEL Accident Attorneys has the knowledge, resources, and commitment to handle even the most complex hit-and-run cases. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during this vulnerable time.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation where we’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand the full value of your claim. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Berkeley office to get started—because every day matters when it comes to protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Local Resources for Modesto Accident Victims
Modesto Police Department
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Non-Emergency: (209) 572-9500
Emergency: 911
www.modestopd.com
California Highway Patrol – Modesto Area Office
3500 Coffee Road, Modesto, CA 95355
(209) 545-2700
www.chp.ca.gov
Doctors Medical Center
1441 Florida Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350
(209) 578-1211
www.dmc-modesto.com
Memorial Medical Center
1700 Coffee Road, Modesto, CA 95355
(209) 526-4500
www.memorialmedicalcenter.org
Stanislaus County Superior Court
800 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 530-3100
www.stanct.org
California Department of Motor Vehicles – Modesto Office
4150 McHenry Avenue, Suite B, Modesto, CA 95356
(800) 777-0133
www.dmv.ca.gov
Stanislaus County Public Works – Traffic Engineering
1716 Morgan Road, Modesto, CA 95358
(209) 525-6750
www.stancounty.com/pwd
