Hit and Run Accidents

Experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Car Accident Victims Throughout Southern California

Being involved in a car accident is a stressful experience, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. However, if the driver who struck you fled the scene of the accident, leaving you injured and stranded on the side of the road, it can be traumatic. Not only that, but it is also incredibly frustrating because, without knowing the identity of the negligent driver, you cannot pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them. However, that doesn’t mean you are without options. At Power Trial Lawyers, our compassionate team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys is here to help. We can conduct a thorough investigation into the accident in hopes of locating the hit and run driver. However, we also routinely represent victims of hit and run accidents in negotiations with their own insurance companies when the identity of the hit and run driver is unable to be determined. Either way, Power Trial Lawyers can help you recover compensation for the injuries you sustained.

Why Do Drivers Flee After an Accident?

Drivers who cause an accident and then flee the scene display a tremendous lack of concern for those injured in the accident. Despite this, the reality is that these accidents occur with startling frequency. Some of the reasons why a driver might flee the scene after an accident include:

• They are impaired and afraid of being arrested for causing a DUI accident;
• They knew that the accident was their fault and wanted to avoid being sued;
• They had an outstanding warrant for their arrest;
• They fear immigration authorities may be alerted; or
• They have contraband, such as drugs or an illegal gun, in their vehicle.

There is never any excuse to leave for a driver to hit and run, and those motorists who flee the scene of an accident can face severe civil and criminal penalties for doing so.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

Few drivers have thought about what they would do after a car accident. However, even fewer people have considered what to do after a hit and run accident. Below is a list of things to keep in mind after any Southern California car accident, but especially hit and run accidents:

• Do not follow the other driver if they leave the scene, as doing so only puts your own safety at risk and limits your ability to talk to any witnesses who may have seen the accident.
• Call 911 to file an accident report as soon as possible, as police officers may be able to locate the hit and run driver.
• Immediately write down any information about the other driver and their car, including a description of the driver, the make and model of their vehicle, where the accident occurred and which direction the other driver went.
• Ask any people around the scene of the accident if they witnessed what happened and if so, get their contact information.

Does Insurance Cover a Hit and Run Car Accident?

Whether your insurance policy covers a hit and run accident depends on the type of insurance you have. In California, drivers are not required to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) protection, which kicks in to cover hit and run accidents. However, your insurance company must offer this coverage, and if you decline to add it to your policy, the company must have you sign a waiver of coverage. If the insurance company didn’t offer UM coverage or didn’t inform you of what not having UM coverage could mean in the event of a hit and run accident, the insurance company may be forced to cover your damages.

Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Options

If you were recently involved in a hit and run accident, you may be wondering what you can do to recover for your accident-related expenses. The good news is that, even if the other driver is not located, you have options. At Power Trial Lawyers, our Southern California car accident attorneys have over a decade of experience helping victims of hit and run accidents recover compensation for their injuries. We will review all the evidence in an effort to find the hit and run driver, and, even if they remain at large, we can help you present a compelling claim to your own insurance company. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today, call (888) 808-2179. You can also reach us through our secure online contact form. We proudly represent clients in Orange County and Los Angeles County and have conveniently located offices in Newport Beach and Los Angeles.