If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Southern California, you probably wonder why anyone would flee when you were harmed. You also likely have concerns about paying for your medical and household expenses, covering the damage to your vehicle, and getting back to your normal routine. That’s the time to call SoCal Injury Lawyers.
Our car accident attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. We know that hit-and-run accident claims pose difficult challenges, particularly if the at-fault driver is not apprehended. Backed by more than 15 years of experience handling automobile accidents, we know how to handle hit-and-run accident claims.
At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we have a working knowledge of the applicable insurance laws and regularly collaborate with private investigators to identify and locate drivers who have fled from accident scenes throughout Southern California. If the at-fault driver cannot be found, we leverage our negotiating skills to ensure that injured parties are treated fairly by insurance companies.
Our lawyers are also fluent in Arabic and Spanish, skills that allow us to provide informed representation to underserved communities. When you become our client, we will take the time to explain all your rights and handle your hit-and-run accident claim with care. We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing to us until we win compensation for you. Contact our office today so we can get started on your hit-and-run accident claim.
What is a hit and run accident?
In Los Angeles, a hit and run accident occurs when a driver collides with another vehicle, a fixed object (e.g. a parked car) or a pedestrian and flees the scene. In the first place, leaving the scene of an accident in which someone has been injured is against the law in California and every other state in the nation.
As a matter of fact, all drivers in the state are required to stop and remain at the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving injuries and/or property damage. They must also exchange identification and insurance information with the other driver(s), offer assistance to injured parties if possible, summon law enforcement and wait until they arrive.
Why Would Anyone Flee the Scene of a Car Accident?
Although leaving the scene of a car accident is illegal, irresponsible, and unjustifiable, drivers are more likely to flee when they:
- Are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Don’t have automobile insurance
- Have a suspended license and/or a prior record traffic violations
While a hit and run driver who is caught faces the potential of criminal charges and a civil lawsuit, finding the at-fault driver can be difficult. For this reason, it is crucial to call the police immediately after a hit-and-run accident. Their investigation may uncover evidence through surveillance cameras at certain roads and nearby premises. Even if the at-fault driver is not caught, the police report will be crucial evidence in your hit-and-run accident claim.
How To Obtain Compensation in a Southern California Hit-and-Run Accident
If SoCal Injury Lawyers can find the hit-and-run driver, we will file a personal injury lawsuit against him or her. You may be able to recover damages regardless of whether the at-fault driver is convicted, provided that we can compile sufficient evidence to prove your hit-and-run accident claim. Depending on the circumstances, particularly whether the at-fault driver is insured, damages you may be able to recover include:
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Because the other driver violated the law, you may also be awarded punitive damages, which are designed to punish his or her misconduct and to deter others from fleeing car accident scenes.
What Happens When a Hit-and-Run Driver Cannot Be Found?
In this situation, you will need to look to your Uninsured Motorist coverage, which your insurance company is required to offer as an option, and which you hopefully included in your automobile policy. The UM coverage must be at least equal to the minimum liability coverage amounts in California, but can also be equal to the amount of liability coverage you have purchased.
In any case, strict deadlines apply to UM claims, and if you do not file in time you will not be able to recover any compensation. When you consult with SoCal Injury Lawyers, your UM claim for the hit and run accident that caused your injuries will be handled professionally, quickly, and efficiently.
Contact Our Experienced Southern California Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you are probably frightened and angry. Turn to SoCal Injury Lawyers. We have a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes in hit-and-run claims. When you become our client, we will work strategically to identify the at-fault driver and take the appropriate legal action.
If the hit-and-run driver is not caught, we will handle all the details of your UM claim. Although insurance companies often attempt to settle UM claims for as little money as possible, we have the skills and experience to help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve. Above all, we will provide you with knowledge, compassion, and a superior level of personal service. Don’t delay. Contact our personal injury law firm today.