Los Angeles Hit and Run Attorney
California has traffic laws that require everyone to behave responsibly to keep everyone safe. Most people follow the rules of the road, but some do not, and accidents occur.
Collisions can have devastating financial, physical, and emotional consequences for victims. At-fault drivers usually come to a stop and face the consequences of their actions. Other drivers, however, flee the scene, a phenomenon known as a hit-and-run. Hit-and-run drivers may be required to compensate their victims for losses in addition to facing legal charges.
If you or a family member were involved in a hit-and-run accident, the competent Los Angeles hit-and-run accident attorney at Abogado Maximo could assist you in seeking justice. Call our personal injury law firm today to speak with a member of our team.
Why Do I Need a Hit and Run Attorney in California?
Being in a hit-and-run accident can be highly stressful. In addition to recovering from your injuries, you must find the at-fault driver, meet deadlines, and seek compensation. All of these things can happen at the same time, which can have an impact on your overall well-being.
Employing our skilled Los Angeles hit-and-run attorney can significantly assist you in navigating your case. Look no further than Abogado Maximo for the best hit-and-run attorney. Our law office has assembled a team of California’s best personal injury, auto accident, and hit-and-run attorneys. Hire our trained Los Angeles hit-and-run attorney to assist you in obtaining justice.
We can also provide information on complex topics such as car accident settlements and others. In addition, we can help you with the following:
- Establish negligence
- Determine the damages
- Create a compelling claim
- Reach a fair settlement
- Keep essential deadlines in mind as you proceed
Call us at Abogado Maximo right away. We are always willing to assist you.
What is a Hit and Run?
A hit-and-run is commonly imagined as a car crashing into another vehicle or a pedestrian and never slowing down. However, any time a person hits an object and then flees without reporting it, it is a case for a California hit-and-run lawyer. It is illegal to flee an accident with property damage or injuries to anyone involved.
A person involved in a hit-and-run may face misdemeanor or felony charges. It makes no difference in California whether they were at fault for the accident. They are required by law to remain on the scene and determine whether assistance is needed.
What Are California Hit and Run Laws?
If a motorist bumps or hits an unattended parked car in California, the driver must leave their name and contact information for the driver of the damaged vehicle. To avoid detection, it is illegal to drive away after causing damage to someone else’s property.
This misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Additional penalties may include three years of probation, restitution for property damage, and two points on the guilty driver’s California license. You should contact our skilled Los Angeles car accident lawyer as soon as possible for more information on how these points can add up.
The sooner you retain our service, the better your chances of receiving the compensation you are due as an accident victim.
What Should I Do Following a Hit and Run Accident in California?
It is a crime to flee the scene of an accident when there has been physical injury or property damage. Despite this, it is common for a driver to flee the scene of an accident, especially if they do not have adequate insurance or are at fault. This should not prevent you from seeking fair compensation or justice.
Determine the Need for Medical Attention
Ensure that everyone is fine and does not require medical attention. Call 911 right away and do everything you can to get to the side of the road safely. You must remain calm and wait for the police to arrive.
Everything Should Be Documented
You might want to chase down the vehicle that hit you, but this is not a good idea. The best thing you can do is pull over and record as much information as possible. If you could obtain a license plate number or a partial plate, write it down immediately before you forget. Attempt to recall the make, model, and color of the vehicle that hit you.
Seek Out for Eyewitnesses
When you’ve found a safe place, look around for potential witnesses. Take down the name and phone number of potential witnesses on the scene. If possible, request that they stay long enough to provide a police statement.
Submit a Police Report
When the police arrive, remain calm and explain what happened to the officer in as much detail as possible. To persuade the officer to pursue the vehicle. Don’t leave the scene until you’ve been cleared.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
If you can identify the vehicle that hit you, you may be able to have their insurance company pay for your damages and any potential injuries. The truth is that many drivers flee the scene because they are either uninsured, unlicensed, or face legal consequences if caught by a police officer. If they do catch them, don’t expect much from them.
You may be able to get your insurance company to cover your expenses if you have adequate coverage against uninsured or underinsured drivers. If you don’t, you might have to pay any expenses out of your pocket. It’s unfortunate if this happens, but the lesson is to have good insurance that covers uninsured and underinsured drivers.
If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident or any other type of motor vehicle crash in California, please contact Abogado Maximo. When dealing with insurance companies, you need to hire a professional who focuses on vehicle accidents. Please contact our Los Angeles hit-and-run attorney to schedule a consultation or speak with our representative for immediate assistance.
Who Must Pay in a Hit-and-Run Accident in California?
The parties available to assume liability for a hit and run accident will determine whether you can obtain compensation. Find the person who caused your accident first. Under California’s tort insurance laws, this party should be legally responsible for your damages. If the police capture the person who hit you and fled, they may be held liable for your losses.
You will then file a claim with the hit-and-run driver’s insurance company for the full amount of your damages. If the police are unable to determine who hit you or your vehicle, you may be able to recover through your own uninsured or underinsured (UM or UIM) motorist insurance.
This type of insurance should cover your damages in the event of a hit and run, as if the driver remained at the scene but did not have insurance. You can find out by calling your insurance company if you purchased this insurance.
A third party may also be responsible for your hit and run accident. A third party is not directly involved in your accident, such as the City of Los Angeles, an auto part manufacturer, or the property owner. If a third party should have done something to prevent your collision, such as repair a road defect or issue a recall on a dangerous car part, it may share fault.
An investigation of your hit-and-run accident with our competent Los Angeles hit-and-run attorney can assist you in identifying the best avenue for recovery in your case.
Do You Have to Pay the Deductible in the Case of a Hit and Run?
You may be required to pay a deductible if you use your insurance to cover damages from a hit and run. The type of coverage you use determines whether you must pay the deductible. When you claim your UM insurance, you usually do not have to pay a deductible.
This insurance protects you in the same way that if the at-fault driver had remained at the scene and paid for your damages. You will not be required to pay a deductible if you use your UM or UIM insurance because you would not have paid anything in that scenario. Your insurance company will reimburse you up to your policy’s limit without requiring you to pay anything first.
However, you must pay a deductible if you seek damage reimbursement through your collision coverage. This insurance will cover damage to your vehicle in a hit and run accident, but you will have to pay any deductible associated with your collision coverage out of pocket.
The same is true if you file a personal injury protection insurance claim. Paying two deductibles if you file a claim for both types of coverage.
How Much Time Do You Have to Report a Hit and Run?
In California, you should always report a hit and run accident as soon as possible. While the accident is still fresh, the police must visit the scene and search for evidence. Otherwise, vital evidence may be lost. For example, pieces of the hit-and-run driver’s vehicle may lie on the road for investigators to collect and analyze for only a few hours.
Waiting too long may destroy any available evidence, which is already scarce in most hit-and-run cases.
Reporting a Hit and Run Accident to the Police or California Highway Patrol
If a car accident causes injuries, deaths, or more than $1,000 in property damage, you have 24 hours to report it to the local police or the California Highway Patrol. This 24-hour rule is enforced by California Vehicle Code 20008.
Reporting a Hit-and-Run Accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles
You usually have ten days from your hit-and-run to notify the DMV about your accident.
Reporting a Hit-and-Run Accident to Your Insurance Provider
The general rule is to report a hit and run accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Some businesses impose strict deadlines, such as 24 hours after an accident.
Can Damages Be Recovered After a Hit and Run?
One crucial question that victims have after a hit and run accident is who will pay for the damages. The victim did not cause the accident, but the at-fault driver is unwilling to accept responsibility. In California, an at-fault state, this can be confusing regarding where to turn for financial assistance.
Fortunately, the solution may be found in your insurance coverage. When a new client purchases a policy, insurance companies in California automatically include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. The client must manually decline this coverage.
To compensate for the lack of uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, the insurance company may recommend that the driver purchase collision and comprehensive coverage. If you have any of these types of coverage, your insurance company will almost certainly cover your damages in the event of a hit and run.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will cover a hit and run accident as if the at-fault driver had stayed but lacked insurance. Your insurance company may offer you a settlement based on your policy limits. You should be reimbursed for vehicle repairs and medical expenses.
Your insurance provider may deny your claim if you only have the minimum required California insurance and no additional coverage. A hit-and-run claim against the at-fault driver or another party may result in compensation for various damages.
- Medical Bills
- Pain and Suffering
- Income Loss
- Damage to Property
- Punitive Damages
These are the general compensation categories in California for a personal injury claim. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible for award amounts in some or all of these categories. If you want to find out how much your hit and run accident claim is worth, contact our Los Angeles hit and run attorney today.
When Is It Time to File a Personal Injury Claim?
If you suffered catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run car accident in Los Angeles, it may be best to file a personal injury lawsuit instead of settling with an insurance company. A lawsuit will usually result in more compensation than an insurance settlement. To file a lawsuit, you must have the at-fault driver or another negligent party present.
Your hit and run accident may have been caused by a third party, such as the City of Los Angeles or a vehicle manufacturer. If this is the case, our knowledgeable Los Angeles hit-and-run attorney can assist you in filing a claim against this party.
Keep in mind that California has a deadline for filing a lawsuit. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure, the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years after the accident occurred. If you do not file your lawsuit within this timeframe, your case may be dismissed.
Call Our California Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Hit and run accidents are common in Los Angeles due to the high density of vehicles. Drivers who are distracted and not paying attention to the road or surroundings are the most common cause of hit and run accidents. Even though accidents happen all the time, fleeing a hit and run is a serious criminal offense that will provide evidence of negligence in a civil trial for damages against the negligent party.
Our competent Los Angeles car accident attorney at Abogado Maximo is dedicated to ensuring that you receive the maximum compensation from the negligent party for all medical costs, expenses, and lost income due to the accident.
