You can get compensation in a hit-and-run accident if you have uninsured motorist coverage or, possibly, if authorities identify the at-fault driver. Your ability to obtain compensation depends on available insurance, police findings, and the at-fault driver’s assets.
A hit-and-run accident lawyer in Los Angeles can review your auto policy for UM/UIM, medical payments, collision, or comprehensive benefits. If the driver is later identified, a liability claim may be pursued against that person and any applicable policies.
It can be difficult to secure payment in these cases, but consulting an attorney can improve your chances of a fair recovery.
How Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works in California
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance, too little insurance, or flees and cannot be identified. In California, UM generally applies to hit-and-run crashes if there is evidence of contact and the incident is reported to law enforcement within a reasonable time.
UM can pay for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits. UIM applies when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are exhausted, and your UIM limits are higher; it can cover the gap up to your own limits.
A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can review policy language, confirm stacking or offsets, and file a timely UM/UIM claim to protect your benefits.
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How You Can Recover Compensation in a Hit-and-Run Accident if the Driver Is Identified
When the at-fault driver is identified, the process typically starts with an insurance claim against that driver’s policy. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer assembles the police report, medical documentation, repair estimates, photos, and witness statements to support a claim or a lawsuit.
If the liability limits are too low to cover the losses, your own benefits may help bridge the gap. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can apply when your UIM limits exceed the other driver’s liability limits, and MedPay or collision may provide faster payments for medical costs and repairs.
Filing a Lawsuit Against a Hit-and-Run Driver
When insurance is inadequate but the driver has assets or income, filing a lawsuit can lead to a judgment and lawful collection. Filing a lawsuit may also help you recover additional damages, such as pain and suffering and other non-economic losses.
Some drivers flee because they lack both insurance and collectible assets. In those instances, a lawyer can evaluate every avenue for financial recovery and guide the process through claims or civil court to pursue compensation.
Potential Compensation You Can Get in a Hit-and-Run Accident
Potential compensation in a hit-and-run case depends on your own policy benefits and whether authorities can identify the at-fault driver. Claims often proceed under uninsured motorist benefits first; if the driver is found and has coverage, a liability claim may follow.
Documented losses, medical records, and proof of missed work help support the value of the claim.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Benefits
UM in unidentified driver cases may help to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other losses, depending on your specific policy. UM and UIM coverages are subject to your policy limits and any deductibles or offsets.
If the Driver Has an Insurance Policy
If authorities identify the at-fault driver and they carry insurance coverage, you can file a claim with their insurance provider. A liability claim can help you seek:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages
- Property damage
This route allows recovery from the at-fault policy and, if losses exceed those limits, a potential follow-on UIM claim under your own policy.
If the Driver’s Insurance Does Not Cover Your Losses
If filing a claim through the at-fault driver’s policy does not cover your losses, a lawyer can take legal action against them to seek the difference.
An attorney can assess whether a lawsuit is appropriate if the driver has assets or if additional responsible parties can be identified. Each step depends on policy language, available evidence, and the at-fault driver’s assets.
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What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
What you do immediately after a hit-and-run matters for your claim. Move to safety and call 911. Write down any details about the fleeing vehicle and driver you can, such as make, model, color, and partial plate number.
Report the collision to the police promptly and get the report number. Timely reporting can affect uninsured motorist coverage. Notify your insurer to open a claim and ask about UM, MedPay, and collision benefits. Get a medical evaluation and follow treatment.
Then consult a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles to help secure evidence and manage UM or liability claims.
We Can Help Get Compensation in a Hit-and-Run Accident
Our lawyers can help you get compensation in a hit-and-run accident. At Vaziri Law Group, we bring over 200 years of combined experience to evaluating coverage, building evidence, and pursuing recovery.
We handle uninsured motorist (UM) claims when the driver isn’t identified and, if the driver is found, we pursue a liability claim and, when needed, underinsured motorist benefits to close any gaps.
Contact us for a free consultation. We’ll review your options, explain next steps, and get your claim underway.
