Victor Sneed's lawyer, Bob Fink, tells TMZ, his client -- who works as a security guard at an L.A. medical center -- was doing his job in January when Russell came out of the facility ... to a gaggle of photographers.

Fink says Russell jumped in his Range Rover and tried to leave and in the process struck Sneed from the front. Russell stopped and asked a dazed Sneed if he was ok -- Fink says his client was too stunned to answer so Russell left.

Fink tells us ... Russell sent one of his people back to the scene and gave Sneed his personal info. Fink says Russell wanted to settle it without going to the insurance company but that didn't happen.

Now Fink says, his client is hobbling around with a knee brace and may need surgery. Fink says Sneed's back is also screwed up.