A car hits you, and before you can catch your breath, the driver speeds off. No apology, no insurance exchange, just the hit-and-run car accident, with tire marks fading in the distance and a body full of pain.
Hit-and-run accidents leave so much more than physical damage. They leave questions: Who will pay for the hospital visit? What happens if the police never find the driver? How do you even begin to file a claim?
The truth is, you still have options. Huntington Beach car accident lawyers handle hit-and-run cases all the time. With the proper legal guidance for hit-and-run accident claims, you can still seek compensation, even if the driver disappears.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?
A hit-and-run happens when a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene without stopping to give their name, contact information, or insurance details. California law makes that illegal under Vehicle Code Section 20001 (for crashes with injury) and 20002 (for property damage only).
These accidents can involve:
- Drivers hitting parked cars and fleeing
- Collisions with cyclists or pedestrians
- Multi-vehicle crashes where one driver bolts
The law treats hit-and-run crashes seriously, even if the injuries initially seem minor. If someone gets hurt and the driver flees, that counts as a criminal offense. But even when police pursue charges, you’ll still have to file your own claim to cover medical bills, lost income, and other losses.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run
You won’t have long to gather evidence, especially if you don’t know who hit you. Taking a few key steps right away will help protect both your health and your right to recover damages:
- Call 911 – Always start with a police report. The officer will record details, check for witnesses, and document the scene. That report will play a central role in your insurance claim later.
- Write Down Everything You Remember – Vehicle color, make or model, bumper stickers, damage, direction of travel, time of day – all of that matters. Even partial license plates or vague descriptions can help with the investigation.
- Look for Nearby Cameras or Witnesses – Ask nearby homes or businesses if they have traffic camera footage. Get contact information for anyone who saw what happened and write down their eyewitness statements while the memory is fresh.
- Take Photos – Capture the damage to your vehicle, any visible injuries, and the entire scene – street signs, skid marks, broken parts, and surrounding cars.
- See a Doctor – Even if the injury feels minor, it might worsen. You’ll need a medical record that links your bodily injury to the crash.
- Call a Personal Injury Attorney – A lawyer will step in quickly to protect your rights, open your claim, and communicate with the insurance company while you focus on recovery.
Can You File a Lawsuit for a Hit-and-Run?
You can file a lawsuit for a hit-and-run car accident – but only if you identify the driver. Police may track them down using accident investigation tools like camera footage, debris, or tips from witnesses.
If the driver disappears, your insurance may still cover your losses. Uninsured motorist coverage can cover medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering. Collision coverage may help with repairs, and some policies include MedPay for out-of-pocket costs.
A lawyer will review your policy, handle the insurance claim process, and step in if the insurer delays or denies payment.
Legal Consequences for the At-Fault Driver
If police catch the driver, they could face serious penalties, especially if someone suffers a bodily injury. A misdemeanor hit-and-run can result in up to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines. A felony charge, often tied to injury or death, may result in prison time and a far higher fine.
In civil court, you must show that the driver caused the crash and how it changed your life. That’s where your insurance claim and the evidence behind it start to matter.
Your lawyer will gather evidence that shows:
- The driver caused the crash
- They fled the scene without offering help or information
- You suffered physical, financial, and emotional harm
You may recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, emotional stress, and other losses. Sometimes, you may also seek punitive damages if the driver acted recklessly.
You can still pursue a civil claim even if the criminal court drops the charges. The two processes work independently, and civil courts focus on proof of harm, not guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Will Help
Hit-and-run cases move fast. Police chase leads. Insurance companies make low offers. You may face bills, pain, and stress immediately, without a clear path forward. That’s where a personal injury attorney steps in.
Your lawyer will investigate the crash, preserve footage and witness accounts, review your coverage, and handle every part of the claim – from medical records to settlement talks. You won’t have to wait for the driver to get caught or argue with adjusters. You can focus on healing while your attorney handles the rest.
What Happens If You Wait?
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to recover damages. California law gives you two years to file a personal injury claim and three years for property damage. But evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses move or forget. Surveillance footage gets erased.
Insurance companies will take advantage of delays to deny or shrink your claim. They may argue that your injuries came from something else, or that the crash didn’t cause the damage.
Calling a lawyer immediately will give you a better chance of protecting your rights and getting your life back on track.
Talk to Huntington Beach Car Accident Lawyers Who Know How to Handle Hit-and-Runs
Don’t assume you’re stuck if a driver hits you and drives off. At DJA Injury Attorneys, we understand how frustrating and unfair these crashes feel, and we know how to build a case even when the other side disappears.
We’ve seen how insurance companies push back on hit-and-run claims. That’s why we’ll move quickly, gather the proper evidence, and work to ensure your recovery stays on track. We’ll take care of the legal side while you focus on improving.
Our team is here to help you understand your rights and take the first step toward securing the necessary benefits. Call us today at (949) 229-7228 to speak with one of our Huntington Beach car accident lawyers and set up your free consultation.
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