Being hit by a driver who leaves the scene is frightening and frustrating. Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a crime in California, but even if the driver is never found, you may still have a path to compensation.
Steps to Take Right Away
- Call 911 and get medical care.
- Report the crash to police as soon as possible. For uninsured motorist claims, California law calls for a report to police within 24 hours.
- Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle: color, make, partial plate, damage, direction of travel.
- Look for cameras: nearby businesses, homes with doorbell cameras, traffic cameras, and other drivers’ dash cams. Footage is often overwritten within days.
- Notify your own insurance company promptly. California law requires a written claim to your insurer within 30 days for hit-and-run uninsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy can pay for injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver. California law generally requires physical contact between the unidentified vehicle and you or your vehicle for a hit-and-run UM claim, so document any damage carefully.
UM coverage may also protect you as a pedestrian or cyclist, and it may extend to household family members. Read your declarations page or ask an attorney to review it.
Your Insurer Is Still an Insurer
Even though UM is your own coverage, your insurance company evaluates the claim like any other and may dispute your injuries or their value. UM claims in California often go to arbitration if they are not settled.
If the Driver Is Found
If police identify the driver, a claim can be made against that driver’s insurance as well. The JVB Law Firm can coordinate both. Call for a free consultation.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; speak with a lawyer about your situation.