The weekend is a time to relax and perhaps go grocery shopping. But for a woman who went to a bakery in Fall River, Massachusetts, her weekend was anything but relaxing.

She had just exited the bakery on busy South Main Street when she was hit by a car. The force of the impact launched the woman onto the car's hood. She then fell to the pavement. Amazingly, however, the driver did not stop. The woman was thrown under the car and the driver ran over her legs.

The driver fled the scene of the accident in his vehicle. But immediately after turning off of South Main Street, he crashed his car. Police were able to arrest the man after a witness retrained the man and prevented him from escaping on foot.

Other witnesses observed the hit-and-run accident as well. They confirm that the driver hit the woman, ran over her legs and drove off. One witness had the quickness and forethought to capture the incident on his camera phone.

The driver was suspected of driving drunk and faces numerous charges including leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence.

Most car accidents are preventable. They are caused by a driver's inattention, distraction or, as in this case, drunkenness. Accident victims who sustain injuries as the result of another driver's negligence have a right to seek compensation. Victims may also find themselves fighting with insurance companies to provide compensation for their injuries. An experienced attorney can help victims obtain the treatment and compensation they need.

Source: WPRI.com, "Local woman survives horrific hit & run," Darren Soens and Nneka Nwosu, Feb. 15, 2012.