Getting in any type of car accident can be a traumatic, stressful, and overwhelming experience. The trauma and stress can be even greater if a family member is injured in the accident. However, these feelings can be even more intense when the driver at fault for the collision flees the scene. After a hit and run, it’s understandable that you may have concerns about paying your medical and vehicle repair bills and whether the police will be able to identify the driver. However, the good news is that you still have options for seeking the compensation you need with the help of an experienced Los Angeles hit and run lawyer.
Our hit and run accident lawyers have extensive expertise in handling these complex cases and advocating for victims. If the driver who collided with you fled the scene, contact Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 551-0949 for a free consultation with a member of our legal team. Our firm has extensive experience providing personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles for hit and run victims. We’ll help you understand your options and walk you through the timeline of a hit and run insurance claim.
What Counts as a Hit and Run in California?
In California, a hit and run is any motor vehicle accident in which the at-fault driver flees the scene after causing bodily harm to another person or damaging another person’s property. It is illegal to flee the scene after these kinds of accidents. Leaving the scene is considered a criminal offense under California law. Drivers must stop and report the accident to the police.
Unfortunately, some drivers don’t stop at the scene, leaving victims unable to file a third-party auto insurance claim against their liability coverage policy until the victim’s lawyer or the police identify the driver. Hit and run drivers may face criminal charges if apprehended. Identifying the responsible driver is crucial to hold them accountable for injuries, damages, and insurance claims.
Causes of Hit and Run Accidents in Los Angeles
Drivers flee the scene of accidents they cause for various reasons in Los Angeles, CA. Hit and run drivers often leave the scene to avoid legal consequences or responsibility for their actions. Some of the most common reasons for drivers fleeing the scene are:
- They were under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- They didn’t have proper liability insurance or a valid driver’s license
- They have outstanding warrants and feared an arrest
- They were driving a stolen vehicle
- They panicked and fled the scene against their better judgment
- They wanted to avoid responsibility for the collision
Negligent parties who flee the scene often do so to avoid liability for damages and injuries they have caused.
Depending on why the other driver fled the scene, it could benefit your case once they’re identified. For example, if they were intoxicated, it may be easier to prove they were at fault for the accident that harmed you. However, their reason for fleeing doesn’t impact your ability to seek compensation through an uninsured motorist claim.
Common Injuries Sustained in Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and run accidents can leave victims with all of the same kinds of serious injuries as other motor vehicle collisions. Some hit and run accidents can result in catastrophic injury, requiring extensive medical care and specialized legal support. The following list includes some of the most common car accident injuries seen in hit and run cases:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBIs can result in permanent cognitive and physical disabilities, requiring lifelong care and significantly diminishing a victim’s quality of life.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Spinal damage can result in chronic pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities, or complete or partial paralysis in particularly severe cases.
- Broken Bones – Fractures are most common in the hands, wrists, and forearms of drivers holding the steering wheel when the collision occurs. Seatbelts can also cause broken ribs in severe crashes.
- Soft Tissue Injuries – Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be strained, sprained, or torn in an accident. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury affecting the neck, is particularly prevalent in rear-end collisions.
- Lacerations – Broken glass and other sharp objects flying around inside your vehicle after a heavy impact can cause deep lacerations that require stitches and may result in permanent scarring.
- Internal Organ Damage – Some of the most dangerous injuries sustained in hit and run accidents are those to internal organs. These injuries may not be immediately apparent, causing them to worsen before some victims seek medical treatment.
- Psychological Injuries – Not every injury sustained in a hit and run is physical. Many victims experience long-term psychological injuries, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and emotional pain that can persist long after the physical injuries have healed.
Steps to Take After a Hit and Run
After a hit and run, knowing the proper steps to take can significantly benefit your claim for compensation, whether you’re filing a first-party claim with your insurer or a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. It is important to document the accident location and note the exact time the accident occurred, as this information will be important for your case. Gathering evidence at the scene can help prove fault in your claim.
Steps to Take at the Scene
Before leaving the scene of the accident, it’s essential that you take the following steps:
- Report the accident to the police and have them come to the scene to make an official accident report.
- Seek medical treatment for your injuries. Even if you initially feel fine, your adrenaline may be masking symptoms of underlying injuries that need medical attention.
- Document the scene by taking photographs or videos of the damage to your vehicle, any skid marks on the road caused by the collision, and relevant traffic signs or signals.
- Gather the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses. Your lawyer will follow up with them to obtain their statements, which may help identify the at-fault driver.
Steps to Take After Leaving the Scene
Once you’ve left the accident scene, there are still more steps you should take to continue strengthening your case:
- Report the accident to your insurance provider. Even if you weren’t at fault for the accident, you must report it to your insurer to seek compensation through an uninsured motorist claim.
- Follow up on all doctor’s appointments and medical treatments until you fully recover or are not expected to recover further.
- Keep track of all expenses related to the accident, including car repairs, medical bills, and lost wages. Your lawyer will use these when calculating your losses.
- Write down your daily pain levels and how your injuries impact your ability to perform routine tasks in a journal.
- Consult an experienced Los Angeles hit and run attorney about your case. They can help maximize your financial recovery.
Seeking Compensation After a Los Angeles Hit and Run
After most car accidents in Los Angeles, you would file an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s liability coverage policy. California requires all drivers to have at least $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 in property damage coverage. When dealing with insurance companies, it is crucial to work with them to secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
However, hit and run accident claims differ because you typically don’t have the at-fault party’s name or insurance information. Instead, you must file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance provider. Uninsured motorist coverage provides compensation for accidents caused by uninsured or unidentified drivers. A run accident lawyer can help you pursue a fair settlement and maximum compensation for your losses by gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies. Financial compensation can include lost income, medical expenses, and other damages. Filing an injury claim with a hit and run lawyer in Los Angeles is essential to recover all eligible damages.
Is There a Time Limit for Legal Action After a Hit and Run in LA?
Under California’s statute of limitations for personal injury, hit and run victims have two years to file lawsuits against the party responsible for their injuries. The legal process for a personal injury lawsuit is separate from insurance claims, and you must file your lawsuit within this period to seek compensation through legal action, as the courts will bar you from recovery if you miss it.
In hit and run accident cases, this time limit may not begin counting down until the at-fault driver has been identified. However, personal injury lawsuits and car accident lawsuits are subject to strict deadlines under California personal injury law, so it’s still best to begin working with a lawyer as soon as possible, as they’ll need to collect evidence while it’s still fresh.
Surveillance camera footage often gets overwritten after a certain amount of time, witnesses may forget details about the accident, and other physical evidence from the accident scene can go missing if you wait too long. Acting quickly is important to preserve evidence for your personal injury case or car accident case. Hire a hit and run attorney in Los Angeles to help your hit and run case.
Hit and Run Accident FAQs
Below, we’ve included answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about hit and run accidents in Los Angeles, California. In these cases, it is crucial to identify the responsible party or responsible parties to ensure victims can pursue compensation and hold those at fault accountable.
What happens if the driver is identified after I recover compensation through an uninsured motorist claim?
If the police identify the at-fault driver after you recover compensation through an uninsured motorist claim, you have two options.
The first is to seek additional compensation by filing a third-party claim against the driver. However, if your claim is successful, you may have to reimburse your insurer some or all of the compensation it paid for your uninsured motorist claim.
The second is to do nothing and let your insurer file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover the compensation it paid to you.
What if I am the victim of a hit and run as a pedestrian?
If you are the victim of a hit and run as a pedestrian, you have the same options as if you were in a vehicle. You can still file a liability claim against the at-fault driver if and when they are identified, and you can still file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance provider.
How long will it take for the police to identify the driver responsible?
The time it takes for the police to identify the driver responsible for the accident depends on several factors.
One of the main factors is the availability of evidence. If there weren’t any witnesses or traffic cameras nearby, it may be harder to identify the driver. Another key factor is the volume of other cases the police have to handle. In a busy city like LA, identifying a hit and run driver may not be as high of a priority for the police as other crimes.
Contact Our Los Angeles Hit and Run Lawyers
If you were in a hit and run accident in Los Angeles, CA, contact Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 551-0949 for a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles hit and run attorney. Our team of lawyers will review the details of your case and explain your options for recovering compensation for your injuries and property damage. Our law firm will also answer your questions about the auto insurance claims process once you fill up our contact form. We can give you the compensation you deserve.
