Steps after a driver leaves the scene
Get to safety, seek medical help, and report the collision to police. Do not chase the fleeing driver. Record the vehicle’s color, make, model, plate information, damage, and direction of travel if you can do so safely. Witness contacts and nearby cameras may help identify the driver even when your own recollection is incomplete.
When the driver is identified
A claim may be possible against the driver and applicable liability insurance. The criminal investigation and the civil injury claim serve different purposes; an arrest or prosecution does not automatically pay your losses. Proof of fault, injury, and damages is still important, and another responsible party or policy may need investigation.
Uninsured motorist and other coverage
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply to a qualifying hit-and-run. California hit-and-run UM claims can involve physical-contact, police-report, notice, and other requirements. Do not assume every unidentified-vehicle incident is covered. Medical payments or collision coverage may provide additional options, depending on the policy. Promptly obtain advice about all required deadlines.
Help with a complicated claim
Preserve reports, photographs, medical bills, witness details, and communications with insurers. jD LAW can review the policy language and evidence, identify available avenues of recovery, and evaluate disputed coverage or fault. This page concerns compensation for injured victims, which is separate from defending a criminal hit-and-run charge.
Related Injury Resources
General information, not legal or medical advice. Laws, deadlines, and coverage can change. Liability, damages, and options depend on the circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contacting the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship.