When someone flees the scene of an accident, leaving you with injuries to your body and damages to your vehicle, the situation can feel devastating and confusing. You’re often left with mounting medical bills, severe emotional trauma, and complex legal battles. Even if the accident didn’t result in a serious injury, you deserve answers and justice. You might think it’s impossible, since the driver has fled and left you to deal with the aftermath on your own. You might feel like it’s an uphill battle that isn’t worth fighting. A hit and run is a type of traffic accident, and accident victims in these cases often face unique challenges in seeking justice and compensation. Hire an experienced Southern California hit and run accident lawyer from our firm to help your claims.
At Dordick Law Corporation, our experienced Southern California hit-and-run attorneys are committed to helping you get the compensation you deserve to move forward, even if the driver remains unidentified. We represent injured victims of hit and run accidents, including those caused by a hit and run driver, and advocate for their rights throughout the legal process. Our team has extensive experience handling Los Angeles hit and run cases and understands the complexities involved. Insurance coverage is a critical factor in these cases, and we help clients navigate insurance issues to maximize their recovery. As a run accident lawyer and run attorney serving Southern California, we are here to take the stress of the legal battle off your shoulders. Call our office today at (310) 551-0949 or contact us online for a free consultation with one of our Southern California car accident lawyers.
What Constitutes a Hit-and-Run Accident in California?
California law defines a hit-and-run accident as a collision where a driver fails to stop and provide necessary information. It doesn’t actually matter which driver was at fault. Both of them are legally obligated to stop. The law states that you must:
- Stop immediately at the scene of an accident
- Exchange insurance information and contact details with the other driver
- Provide reasonable help to anyone who is injured
Failing to exchange insurance information with the other driver is a violation of California law.
If a driver fails to do any of these things, they may be charged with criminal charges, as leaving the scene is considered a criminal offense. Hit and run offenses can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on whether the accident resulted in property damage, physical injury, or death. These cases are taken very seriously, and law enforcement will do everything they can to identify the driver. Filing a police report is integral for both legal and insurance purposes.
Why Hit-and-Run Crashes Are Alarmingly Common in Southern California
In Southern California, a perfect storm of elements makes hit-and-run accidents very common. Take, for instance, the dense traffic and the design of the roads that work together to make it easy to get away. There is also a high number of uninsured drivers who will flee the scene to avoid the consequences of their failure to keep insurance. In fact, some of the most common reasons for a driver to flee the scene of a motor vehicle accident can be:
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without a valid license
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Prior criminal history
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Fear of immigration consequences
Run drivers often cause motor vehicle accidents due to distracted driving or lack of insurance. Run accidents occur when a driver flees the scene, sometimes after hitting a parked car or causing serious injuries, which can have severe legal consequences.
Certain areas in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernadino, have higher population density and traffic congestion, making motor vehicle accidents, including hit and run incidents, especially prevalent in these particular areas.
Legal Options After a Hit-and-Run Accident
One of the reasons that these kinds of accidents are so frustrating is that the victim is often left feeling defenseless and without options to pursue compensation for the damage someone else caused. The good news is that if this has happened to you, you do have legal options. Speaking with a Southern California hit and run accident attorney to determine which avenue is best for you is vital. They’ll discuss options such as:
Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you, your lawyers, or law enforcement can identify a driver after an investigation, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit. In addition, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the at fault party or fault driver to recover damages for your injuries and losses.
Filing an Uninsured Motorist (UM) Claim
California car insurance agents are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage. If you didn’t waive this coverage, your uninsured motorist coverage allows you to claim compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage after a hit-and-run. Such coverage is often included in California auto policies and can help you recover damages when the at fault driver cannot be identified.
Using Victim Compensation Programs
The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) offers financial support for victims of violent crimes, including felonies like hit-and-runs. It’s a good idea to check your eligibility by visiting the CalVCB information page.
It is important to report the accident to your insurance company or insurance provider as soon as possible to access available coverages, including comprehensive coverage, which may help cover damages when the responsible driver is not identified.
Determining which option is best for you to pursue can be hard. An experienced personal injury lawyer will represent clients by handling all the details of the legal process to maximize compensation and support your recovery.
Why You Need a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Southern California
When you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you’re most likely dealing with physical recovery from your injuries. That might look like extended hospital stays, surgeries, and physical therapy, or if you’re lucky, it could just be a few days spent on the couch recovering with rest at home. Whatever the case, dealing with the legal battle on top of recovering physically can be daunting. Since a hit-and-run case is one of the more complicated cases, it can also be easy to let important details slide, like deadlines or evidence. This is why it’s ideal to hire an experienced hit and run accident attorney in Southern California. Seeking legal services from experienced attorneys is important to ensure your rights are protected and to navigate the complex legal and insurance processes after an accident.
A Southern California attorney who knows the local law can:
- Investigate the crash
- Work with law enforcement to identify the driver
- Gather evidence like surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File a claim or lawsuit on your behalf
- Provide specialized legal services as a run lawyer or accident lawyer for hit and run cases
Although you can recover compensation from a hit-and-run accident without an attorney, having the right legal team fighting for you can make a huge difference in your case. They have more resources to conduct an investigation, coupled with the knowledge of Southern California motor vehicle law, and the insurance companies will take them more seriously. You’re more likely to secure fair compensation when you have a lawyer on your side. Our firm has a proven track record in representing clients in hit and run cases, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
What Damages Can a Hit-and-Run Lawyer Recover?
Victims of a hit-and-run accident often wonder what compensation they’re eligible to receive. Injured parties may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses, which can help them recover both physically and financially. Ultimately, the amount and the types of compensation available depend on the case details. Every case is different, which means they’re valued differently. However, there is a wide variety of compensation available to cover losses under California tort law like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
It’s always best to talk to a lawyer to learn what you’re entitled to. If you are fighting this battle on behalf of someone who has passed away as a result of the accident, you may also be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In this case, you can add expenses like funeral costs to your eligible compensation. Our firm is dedicated to helping clients pursue the maximum compensation available, ensuring that injured parties receive the financial recovery they deserve.
How to Build a Strong Hit-and-Run Case
After a hit-and-run accident, knowing how to create a strong case is vital. You can take certain actions, and your lawyer can gather other items on your behalf. Together, these things will provide the evidence you need to prove your case.
The question is, what are the best steps you and your lawyer can take to build a strong case? These are as follows:
- Seek Medical Attention: This is important for your physical health. However, even if you don’t think your injuries are bad enough to warrant a doctor’s time, it’s essential to get medical attention anyway so that you create evidence.
- Contact Eyewitnesses: When you’re at the scene, look around for anyone who might have seen the accident. Collect their information. Either you or your lawyer can reach out to them and ask them to provide a witness statement for supporting evidence.
- Access Surveillance Cameras: One of the biggest reasons that it’s critical to have a lawyer fight on your behalf is that they will look for cameras that might have caught the entire incident on film. This is excellent evidence to have and can sometimes be hard to acquire. A lawyer knows the right avenues to secure the footage. In many cases, a hit and run collision leaves behind crucial evidence, such as vehicle debris or footage, that can help identify the fleeing driver.
- Work with Experts: Another great reason to have a lawyer fighting on your side is that they have access to the experts. This can be a medical expert who can assess and testify to the full extent of your injuries or perhaps a crash reconstructionist who will examine the scene of the accident to tell the story of the hit-and-run crash.
When a driver flees the scene of an accident, they leave behind a trail of evidence. With the help of a lawyer, you can follow these simple steps to tell a compelling story. Legal support is especially crucial for injured victims seeking justice after a hit and run collision.
Common Misconceptions About Hit and Run Accidents
Unfortunately, after a hit-and-run accident, the victim is often left feeling vulnerable and without options. In fact, there are several misconceptions that victims think about. Some of those thoughts include:
- “If the driver isn’t found, I can do nothing.” This isn’t true. Your insurance can still cover your losses even if you can’t identify the driver, and legal professionals can help you pursue other avenues for compensation.
- “My injuries aren’t severe, so hiring a lawyer isn’t worth hiring.” Even minor injuries can lead to long-term complications and high medical costs. Hiring a lawyer can make a huge difference in your financial recovery.
- “I can’t afford a hit-and-run lawyer.” Lawyers can be expensive, sure, but there are always options. At Dordick Law Corporation, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case. You can’t afford not to hire a lawyer.
Contact our Southern California Hit and Run Lawyers
At Dordick Law Corporation, we have decades of experience in California personal injury law. We will use aggressive negotiation and litigation strategies to maximize your compensation. Don’t wait. Start your fight today by contacting us online or at (310) 551-0949. Our law firm offers a free case evaluation, so you can get a no-obligation assessment of your situation and understand your options. We’ll start with a free hit-and-run case evaluation. Don’t pay for another driver’s negligence just because they ran away. Let us help you get the compensation you need to recover.
