Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Hit-and-run accidents leave people in Los Angeles facing injuries and financial pressure when a driver disappears without taking responsibility. A hit and run accident lawyer in Los Angeles works to restore accountability and help injured people move forward after these sudden roadway collisions.

The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Vaziri Law, LLP support injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and families after all kinds of accidents across Southern California. Our focus stays on helping people regain stability and pursue accountability after serious roadway collisions.

We help pursue compensation and clarity while you focus on healing. Call today for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.

Why Choose Vaziri Law, LLP, After a Hit and Run Accident

When a driver leaves the scene, injured people in Los Angeles are left paying for care and repairs while responsibility stays unclear. These cases benefit from steady attention early on, especially when the driver hasn’t been identified.

The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Vaziri Law, LLP, focus on keeping the case moving even when information feels limited at the start. Our team brings more than 200 years of combined experience to hit-and-run cases across Southern California, with a steady focus on accountability and progress.

That approach has produced strong results, including more than $1 billion recovered for injured clients. We manage the legal process from start to finish and deal directly with insurers to keep the claim progressing.

Definition of a Hit and Run Accident

When a driver causes a crash and then drives away, the situation quickly becomes more dangerous for anyone who was hurt. That’s what defines a hit-and-run, and it leaves injured people without immediate support.

California law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop and provide identifying information. Vehicle Code § 20002 applies to property damage crashes, and Vehicle Code § 20001 governs collisions involving injury or death and requires reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene can carry serious legal consequences.

When a negligent driver flees, the burden falls on the injured person to piece together what happened. A hit and run car accident attorney in Los Angeles can step in to protect your claim, pursue available compensation, and manage the legal process with focused, individualized attention.

Common Reasons Drivers Flee Accident Scenes

Drivers leave the scene of a hit-and-run for many different reasons, usually driven by fear and bad judgment in the moments after a car accident. Panic can take over when someone realizes the crash may carry legal or financial consequences.

Common reasons drivers flee include:

• Lack of insurance coverage: Some drivers know they cannot pay for the damage they caused and leave to avoid immediate financial responsibility.
• Risk of criminal charges: A driver who has been drinking or using drugs may run because staying could lead to arrest and serious criminal charges.
• Prior legal trouble: Outstanding warrants or unresolved violations can push a driver to flee rather than face additional legal exposure.
• Unawareness of the impact: In some cases, a driver claims they did not realize a collision occurred, especially during low-speed contact or brief side impacts.
• Distracted driving: Phone use or in-car distractions can lead to a crash, and once the driver realizes their inattention caused harm, they may panic and leave.
• Impaired judgment from fatigue or substances: Reduced awareness or slowed reaction time can affect how a driver responds after a collision and lead to the decision to flee.

None of these explanations excuse leaving the scene. A Los Angeles hit and run lawyer can help injured people pursue accountability and recovery, even when the driver responsible tried to disappear.

How a Lawyer Helps in Hit and Run Cases

Hiring a hit-and-run car accident lawyer after a collision gives your claim structure and direction. These cases rely on early decisions and careful follow-through, especially when the driver disappears.

Investigating the Crash

A Los Angeles hit and run lawyer begins by reviewing the police report and looking closely at any available surveillance footage or traffic cameras near the scene. Witness statements can also help clarify how the crash happened and who may be responsible.

When details remain unclear, accident reconstruction helps explain the mechanics of the impact and supports accountability. This level of investigation keeps the claim focused on facts rather than assumptions.

Negotiating With the Insurance Company

Hit-and-run claims place pressure on coverage, and the insurance company may resist paying without a named driver. An attorney takes over those conversations and addresses delays or pushback as they arise.

Medical records and repair paperwork help show what the car accident actually changed in your day-to-day life. Clear documentation makes it harder for insurers to minimize the impact. 

Filing a Lawsuit if the Driver Is Identified

If the driver is later identified, a lawsuit allows the claim to proceed directly against the responsible party. This step creates a clear path toward recovery tied to the harm caused by the crash.

Your attorney oversees the legal process and prepares the case for court when necessary. That structure keeps pressure on the at-fault driver while protecting your position as the case moves forward.

Compensation a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Can Pursue

A hit-and-run collision can leave lasting physical and financial strain. Our hit and run lawyers focus on pursuing compensation that reflects the real impact of the crash and helps you move forward.

Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim

If the hit-and-run driver can’t be found, uninsured motorist coverage can provide a path to compensation through your own insurance policy. Many drivers carry this coverage for situations where the at-fault party has no insurance or leaves the scene.

Uninsured motorist coverage can help address the financial impact of injuries and vehicle damage caused by a hit-and-run crash. The claim depends on documentation connected to the incident, including a police report and records that show how the collision affected you.

Insurance carriers still review these claims closely. A hit and run accident attorney in Los Angeles can guide the process, respond to insurer requests, and work toward a result that reflects the full impact of the collision.

Seeking Compensation for Medical Bills and Property Damage

For many people, a hit-and-run sets off a chain of problems that last well beyond the crash itself. Any recovery should align with how injuries and damage influence day-to-day life after the crash.

Depending on the facts, recovery may account for:

• Medical care: Costs tied to emergency treatment, follow-up visits, or ongoing care connected to crash-related injuries.
• Vehicle damage: Repairs or replacement tied directly to damage caused by the collision.
• Income disruption: Pay lost while injuries limit your ability to work or return to your normal schedule.

When the at-fault driver can’t be found, uninsured motorist coverage may apply through your own policy. If that driver is identified later, the claim can shift to their insurance. Our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles focus on recovery that reflects what the crash changed in your life.

Pain and Suffering Damages in Hit and Run Cases

A hit-and-run crash can affect more than the injuries shown on medical scans. Pain and suffering damages recognize the emotional toll of the experience and how the accident changed daily life.

Pain and suffering may reflect ongoing discomfort or mental strain that follows a serious car crash. These damages do not come with a fixed dollar amount, which makes them harder to calculate than medical bills.

Their value depends on the seriousness of the injuries and the lasting effect the crash has on day-to-day living. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply in some cases, and legal guidance helps make sure pain and suffering is properly considered.

Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident

What happens in the hours and days after a hit-and-run can affect both recovery and the claim. Acting early helps keep important details from slipping away.

Contact the Police and File a Report

After a hit-and-run crash, calling the police creates an official record of the car accident. An officer documents the scene and prepares a police report, which plays a central role in insurance claims tied to medical expenses and vehicle damage.

Share every detail you can remember about the vehicle involved, including a license plate number if one stood out. Even limited information can help support follow-up efforts and clarify responsibility.

A police report creates a clear record of what happened. Without one, insurers may challenge details or minimize the impact.

Gather Evidence From the Scene

If it’s safe to do so, collect evidence before leaving the area. Photos or videos of the damage and surroundings can preserve details that fade quickly after a car accident.

People nearby may remember details that didn’t make it into the initial report. Those witness statements can help explain how the collision unfolded.

When insurers start evaluating the claim, outside observations can carry weight. Legal guidance can help organize that information and keep it consistent.

Notify Your Insurance Provider

Your insurance provider should hear about the crash as soon as possible. Providing the police report number later helps keep the claim on track.

Hit-and-run cases may involve uninsured motorist coverage, which means your own policy could apply. Insurance claims still require careful handling when another driver leaves the scene.

Keep conversations factual and limited. An attorney can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf and protect your position as the claim moves forward.

Don’t Post About the Accident on Social Media

After a crash, it’s natural to want to tell people you’re safe. Sharing details about the crash online can create issues later, especially as the claim takes shape.

Posts, photos, or comments can be taken out of context and used to question what happened or how the accident affected you. Even something that seems harmless can cause confusion.

It’s better to keep details off social media and speak directly with people you trust. Protecting your claim means being careful about what you share while the case moves forward.

The Legal Process for Hit and Run Accident Cases

The legal process after a hit-and-run collision may involve pursuing compensation through a civil lawsuit. Our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles start by filing a complaint that explains the crash and how it affected your life.

Once the case is filed, both sides begin exchanging information. This is the discovery phase. This process helps clarify what happened and what the crash ultimately cost.

Some cases resolve before trial, and others continue to court. When that happens, a judge or jury reviews the evidence and decides both liability and compensation.

California Statute of Limitations for Hit-and-Run Accidents

California law places a strict statute of limitations on how long someone has to file a personal injury claim after a car accident. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, most injured people have a two-year deadline that starts on the date of the crash.

Missing that deadline can block any chance at financial recovery, no matter how serious the injuries or how clear the fault may seem. Courts rarely make exceptions, which makes timing just as important as evidence.

Taking steps early helps keep important documentation intact while the claim remains legally sound. The statute of limitations determines how long recovery remains available.

Criminal Penalties for Hit and Run Offenses

California takes hit-and-run conduct seriously because leaving the scene puts injured people and property owners at further risk. The consequences depend on what the car crash caused and how the driver responded afterward.

Under California law, penalties may include:

• Property damage only: These cases are charged as misdemeanors and can involve fines, possible jail time, and license consequences.
• Injuries or death: When a crash causes physical harm, the offense may rise to a felony and expose the driver to severe criminal charges.
• Civil responsibility: Separate from criminal penalties, the at-fault driver can face a civil personal injury claim for medical costs, lost income, and property damage.

These penalties reflect the state’s focus on accountability. Even when a driver tries to avoid responsibility, victims still have the right to pursue compensation and justice through the civil system.

What Injuries Do People Suffer in Hit and Run Accidents in Los Angeles?

Hit-and-run crashes in Los Angeles can cause injuries that change how someone moves through daily life. Some harm shows up right away, while other symptoms surface later and require ongoing medical attention.

These injuries bring real consequences, including mounting medical bills and time away from work. Any legal claim has to reflect how the crash altered both health and stability.

Brain and Head Injuries

Head injuries from a hit-and-run crash can affect thinking, memory, and emotional balance. Brain trauma may interfere with work and routine tasks long after the initial impact.

Treatment usually involves specialists and extended care. Early medical attention helps document the injury and sets the foundation for recovery.

Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

Back and spinal injuries can limit movement and create pain that doesn’t resolve quickly. Nerve involvement may change how the body functions on a daily basis.

Recovery can require continued care well after the crash. Medical bills tied to spinal treatment tend to grow over time.

Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries

Fractures from a hit-and-run collision can take months to heal. Some injuries require surgical repair and prolonged rest before normal activity resumes.

Even after bones heal, strength and mobility take time to return. Follow-up care plays a major role in recovery.

Internal Injuries and Organ Damage

Internal injuries might not be obvious at the scene. Bleeding or organ damage requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious complications.

Hospital care and monitoring can extend recovery timelines. These injuries can lead to significant medical bills.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Muscle and connective tissue injuries can limit movement and cause persistent discomfort. Symptoms sometimes worsen days after the crash.

Physical therapy may be part of treatment. Recovery tends to progress gradually rather than all at once.

Hit-and-run injuries rarely resolve on a simple timeline. Our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles pursue compensation that reflects the real cost of medical care and long-term recovery.

Common Concerns About Hit and Run Accidents in Los Angeles

Hit-and-run cases raise questions that don’t always come up in other car accident claims. These answers address issues people often face once the shock wears off and practical concerns set in.

What if I Were Partially At Fault for the Car Accident?

California follows comparative fault rules, which means partial responsibility doesn’t automatically bar recovery. Compensation may be reduced based on fault, but a claim can still move forward when another driver fled the scene.

Can a Hit and Run Accident Still be Solved if There Were no Witnesses?

Yes. Cases can rely on physical evidence, vehicle damage patterns, surrounding video sources, and follow-up investigation rather than direct witness accounts. A lack of witnesses does not end a viable claim.

Do Hit and Run Cases take Longer than Other Car Accident Claims?

They can, especially when the driver isn’t identified right away. Timelines depend on investigation progress, insurance review, and whether the case remains an uninsured motorist claim or shifts to a claim against a known driver.

Contact Our Los Angeles Hit and Run Attorneys for a Free Consultation

When you’re injured by a driver who leaves the scene, it creates uncertainty that no one should have to manage alone. Vaziri Law, LLP, represents people across Los Angeles County who were hurt in hit-and-run collisions, with a focus on compensation that reflects real loss and lasting impact.

Our team works to protect your claim, whether the driver is identified or never found. The priority stays on holding the right parties accountable and preventing someone else’s negligence from becoming your financial burden.

Contact us for a free consultation to talk through what happened and what comes next. A hit and run accident lawyer in Los Angeles can explain your options, answer your questions, and help you take the next step forward.