Hit-and-run accidents can leave victims overwhelmed and feeling helpless. When a driver flees the scene, injured people are left with unanswered questions and unpaid bills.
These accidents often cause serious harm, from medical costs to emotional stress. Knowing what to do next can make all the difference.
Vaziri Law Group fights for car accident victims like you. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers understand how hard it can be to recover after a hit and run collision.
A hit and run accident lawyer in Los Angeles will help you pursue compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and property damage.
We have recovered over $1 billion for accident victims like yourself. We’re confident we have what it takes to get the settlement you need to get your life back on track.
Our Los Angeles Hit and Run Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Victims
If you’ve been hurt in a hit and run collision, medical bills can pile up, you may miss work, and you might have trouble finding the hit and run driver, making the aftermath overwhelming.
These accidents are more complicated than regular car accident claims because the at-fault driver isn’t always identified immediately.
The Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Vaziri Law Group stand with victims of car crashes. Our experienced team of hit and run car accident attorneys works hard to investigate your case, gather evidence, and hold those responsible accountable.
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How a Lawyer Helps in Hit and Run Cases
Hiring a hit-and-run car accident lawyer after a collision like yours is one of the most important steps you can take. Having a lawyer will significantly improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Here’s what a hit-and-run lawyer in Los Angeles can do to help you:
Investigating the Crash
An experienced attorney can help you find the hit and run driver. They work with law enforcement, review the police report, and gather evidence from the scene, including surveillance footage, traffic cameras, and witness statements. Every detail matters when identifying the driver.
Our attorneys will also consult accident reconstruction experts to analyze how the crash happened. This can uncover the driver’s identity and hold them accountable.
Identifying the responsible party is key to recovering damages for victims suffering from common car accident injuries.
A thorough investigation ensures no evidence is overlooked, increasing your chances of receiving justice.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Dealing with the insurance company after a hit and run accident can be challenging. Insurers may try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether.
A seasoned hit and run accident attorney from Los Angeles will know how to negotiate with insurers to secure fair compensation for you.
Your attorney will present evidence, including photos, medical records, and repair estimates, to prove the full extent of your losses. This includes the cost of medical treatment, property damage, and emotional suffering.
Filing a Lawsuit if the Driver Is Identified
If the hit and run driver is identified, a car accident attorney can file a lawsuit to hold them accountable. Filing a personal injury lawsuit allows victims to pursue compensation for common car accident injuries, medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.
Our Los Angeles hit and run accident attorneys manage every step of the legal process, from collecting evidence to presenting the case in court.
They work to prove that the hit and run driver caused the accident and the resulting damages.
Compensation a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Can Pursue
Victims of a hit and run collision often face financial, physical, and emotional hardships. Fortunately, our hit and run lawyers can pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Here are some of the ways our team can get the financial recovery you need to move forward after a serious hit and run crash:
Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim
Filing a claim through your uninsured motorist coverage through your insurer can help you recover compensation if the hit and run driver cannot be found.
This coverage, included in many policies, pays for damages caused by drivers without insurance or those who flee the scene.
It can cover medical expenses, property damage, and lost earnings from missing work due to injuries. To file the claim, you’ll need evidence like the police report, photos of the accident, and witness statements.
Your insurer will evaluate the claim to determine compensation. Working with a skilled hit and run accident attorney from Los Angeles can help the process go smoothly and ensure you receive a fair settlement or jury award.
Seeking Compensation for Medical Bills and Property Damage
Hit and run accidents often cause serious injuries and significant property damage. Victims can recover compensation to cover emergency treatment, hospital bills, ongoing care, and repairs for damaged vehicles. Compensation may also include costs for physical therapy and long-term medical expenses if injuries require continuing care.
If your insurance company offers uninsured motorist coverage, this can help pay for the damages. Documentation like medical records and repair estimates can help prove your losses.
Even if the driver at fault is identified later, a claim can still be filed against the person’s insurance. Our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles will work hard to recover the compensation you need to get back to your regular way of life.
Pain and Suffering Damages in Hit and Run Cases
Beyond physical harm, victims of a hit and run crash often experience emotional and mental suffering. Pain and suffering damages compensate for the stress, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life that were caused by the hit and run accident.
This can include ongoing physical pain, anxiety, and difficulty performing daily activities after a serious car crash. Unlike medical bills, pain and suffering damages are more difficult to calculate.
They depend on the severity of the injuries, recovery time, and overall effect on the victim’s life. While uninsured motorist coverage may help cover these losses, working with an attorney ensures these damages are considered.
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Definition of a Hit and Run Accident
A hit and run accident happens when a driver involved in a crash flees the scene without stopping to provide information or help the injured.
California Code, VEH 20002 requires drivers involved in vehicle collisions to stop, exchange contact and insurance details, and assist injured parties if needed.
If you’ve been in a collision caused by a negligent driver who ended up fleeing the accident scene, you must hire a skilled attorney to seek compensation. A hit and run accident attorney from our team in Los Angeles can take on your case and provide skilled, personalized representation.
Common Reasons Drivers Flee Accident Scenes
There are several reasons why drivers flee after a hit-and-run crash. The most common reason is fear of consequences. Some drivers panic, especially if they are responsible for a car accident.
Other reasons include the following:
- Lack of insurance coverage: Uninsured drivers may leave to avoid penalties.
- Driving under the influence: A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs may fear criminal charges.
- Outstanding legal issues: Drivers with warrants or past violations often flee to avoid further trouble.
- Unaware of the collision: In rare cases, drivers may not realize they hit someone, particularly at low speeds.
- Distracted driving: The driver may have been texting, changing the radio station, or otherwise distracted when the collision occurred, leading them to flee the scene to avoid consequences.
- Impaired driving: The driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which impaired their ability to drive safely.
- Drowsy driving: A driver who caused an accident due to fatigued driving may flee the scene of the crash to avoid liability and legal penalties.
While these reasons explain why drivers leave the scene of a crash, they do not excuse the behavior. Victims of hit and run accidents deserve justice, regardless of the reason behind the driver’s actions.
Reach out to our hit-and-run accident law firm in Los Angeles to get legal assistance.
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Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident
Taking quick action after a hit and run collision is essential if you want to recover fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Knowing the right steps can help you protect yourself, gather evidence, and strengthen your case.
Here’s what you should do after a hit and run:
Contact the Police and File a Report
The first thing you should do after any type of car accident is call the police. A police or law enforcement officer will come to the scene, document what happened, and create an official police report. This report is essential for insurance claims and any legal action that follows.
Provide as much detail as possible about the hit and run driver. This includes the car’s make, model, color, and license plate number if you can remember it. Witnesses at the scene can also give information to help identify the driver.
Filing a report ensures the accident is officially documented. Without it, recovering compensation for injuries or damages can be more difficult.
Gather Evidence
After calling the police, gather as much evidence as possible from the accident scene. Use your phone to take photos or videos of the damage to your car, the surrounding area, and any skid marks. If you saw the hit and run driver, write down everything you remember about their vehicle.
You should also speak to witnesses who saw the car crash and ask for their contact information. Their statements can help law enforcement identify the at-fault driver and support your case with the insurance company.
The more evidence you collect, the stronger your claim will be. This is essential for recovering damages for injuries, property damage, and other losses. Hand over all the evidence you collect to your Los Angeles hit and run accident attorney. They’ll use it to build a strong claim for you.
Notify Your Insurance Provider Immediately
Inform your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide the details of the hit and run collision and share the police report number if you have it.
Your insurance coverage, including uninsured motorist protection, may help pay for repairs or medical costs. Some policies also cover hit and run accidents even if the hit-and-run driver is never found.
Be careful when talking to insurance adjusters. Stick to the facts and remember to avoid admitting fault because doing so can affect your car accident insurance claim. Your attorney can also help communicate with the insurer to protect your rights.
Don’t Post About Your Accident on Social Media
After an accident, you may want to notify your friends and family that you were involved in a crash and that you are safe.
However, it’s important that you don’t share any details about the incident on social media. Insurance companies and other parties are always looking to limit the amount of compensation you receive from your claim.
As a result, involved parties may try to use your social media posts against you. Even a harmless photo posted to a social media website could be used by the insurance provider as evidence that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.
Instead of sharing information about your accident on the internet, we advise you to call your loved ones or speak to them in person about the crash that occurred.
Doing so will protect your claim and your right to compensation. Reach out to a dedicated hit and run accident attorney in Los Angeles to learn more about the steps you should take after a hit and run collision.
The Legal Process for Hit and Run Accident Cases
The legal process for a hit and run accident case involves filing a civil lawsuit for compensation. Our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles will begin by drafting a complaint that outlines your injuries, financial losses, and the driver’s negligent actions. This document will be filed with the appropriate court to formally initiate the case.
After filing, the defendant must be served with the lawsuit, notifying them of the legal action. Then, the discovery phase will occur, where both parties exchange evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and any surveillance footage. Our team may also depose witnesses and experts to strengthen the case.
If the case does not settle during pre-trial negotiations, it will proceed to trial. Our team will present evidence and arguments to prove the driver’s liability and the extent of your damages.
After hearing both sides, the judge or jury will decide on liability and the amount of compensation you should receive.
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Legal Obligations After an Accident Under California Law
Under California car accident laws, drivers involved in any car crash must stop immediately. They must provide their name, contact information, and insurance company details to the other driver or anyone else affected. If injuries are involved, calling for emergency services is mandatory.
Failing to stop after an accident is illegal. Even if a driver isn’t at fault, leaving the scene makes them a hit and run driver.
California law also requires drivers to file a report with a police officer if someone is injured or there’s substantial property damage.
Ignoring these obligations can result in more serious penalties. A hit and run involving injuries or fatalities can lead to heavy fines, jail time, and long-term consequences. Understanding these legal requirements helps drivers act responsibly and avoid additional charges.
Criminal Penalties for Hit and Run Offenses
California law treats hit and run accidents seriously. The penalties depend on whether the car crash caused property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
If the accident causes only property damage, it is treated as a misdemeanor. Penalties may include hefty fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. If the accident involves injuries or fatalities, the hit and run becomes a felony.
Drivers can also face license suspension and increased car insurance rates. In addition to criminal charges, the hit-and-run driver can be held accountable through civil lawsuits.
These penalties reflect how seriously California views hit and run offenses. Victims have the right to seek compensation and legal justice for their losses.
Our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles understand how stressful it can be to watch the at-fault driver flee the accident scene.
We’re committed to identifying the hit and run driver and getting the justice you need to put this unfortunate incident behind you.
What Injuries Do People Suffer in Hit and Run Accidents in Los Angeles?
Hit and run crashes in Los Angeles leave victims with devastating injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, and even brain trauma. You might face months or years of recovery after a serious crash.
Luckily, our dedicated hit and run accident attorneys in Los Angeles can pursue the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and move forward with your life.
We can pursue fair compensation if you’ve suffered any of the following severe injuries in a hit and run:
Brain and Head Injuries
Head injuries rank among the most serious outcomes of hit and run crashes. These injuries can affect your ability to work, speak, and even care for yourself.
Many victims deal with memory loss, confusion, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Your recovery might require specialized care from neurologists and rehabilitation specialists.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Back injuries from these collisions often lead to chronic pain or paralysis. We see clients who need multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy.
Your life might change dramatically if you suffer nerve damage or disc problems. Medical treatment for spinal injuries typically continues long after the initial accident.
If you experience spinal damage, back injuries, or lower back pain after a car crash, don’t hesitate to seek medical care and legal assistance. Our Los Angeles hit-and-run accident law firm can seek damages for even the most life-altering injuries.
Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries
The force of a hit and run crash can break multiple bones in your body. Arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones often take the brunt of the impact.
You might need metal plates, screws, or rods to repair the damage. Recovery can take months, keeping you away from work and regular activities.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
Some of the most dangerous injuries hide beneath the surface. Internal bleeding and organ damage require immediate medical attention.
Your medical bills can multiply fast with emergency surgery and extended hospital stays. These catastrophic injuries might affect your health for years to come.
Soft Tissue Damage
Even at lower speeds, hit and run accidents cause serious soft tissue injuries. Torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons can limit your movement and cause lasting pain. Physical therapy helps, but full recovery takes time. Your daily activities might remain limited while you heal.
Beyond immediate injuries, hit and run crashes often cause lasting effects. Your mounting medical bills can create financial stress while you’re unable to work.
Many victims need ongoing care and face permanent disabilities. Our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles fight to get you financial compensation that covers both current and future medical needs.
Contact Our Los Angeles Hit and Run Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a hit and run, you deserve support and justice. Vaziri Law Group helps victims throughout Los Angeles County recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional suffering.
Whether the hit and run driver is identified or not, our team ensures you are not left paying for someone else’s negligence.
Contact us today for a free case consultation and get the help you need to move forward. A hit and run accident lawyer in Los Angeles will meet with you to discuss your accident, answer any questions you have about pursuing compensation, and help you get started on your case.