If you are in a car accident in California, one thing you and the other driver typically can do is share auto insurance information. This is especially true if you have been injured. But in a hit and run accident, the other party runs off before you or the police have a chance to identify them and/or obtain insurance information. These types of accidents are unfortunate.
If you are the victim, expenses may quickly add up. The problem is, who pays? Securing a hit and run accident attorney in Los Angeles can help you in many ways. Your insurance company may drag its feet to provide a payout, if any, but with an attorney representing your rights and interests, you can get help for full and fair compensation. Contact The Law Office of Shawn Golshani | Shawn Gol Law, P.C. today at (310) 900-0809 to schedule a Free Case Evaluation.
Why Drivers in California Leave the Scene of a Crash
In the immediate aftermath of a car crash, a driver scared of the repercussions of causing an accident may flee the scene. Common reasons can include:
- Driver's license suspension
- Expired driver's license
- No auto insurance
- Driving a vehicle without permission
- Driving a stolen vehicle
- Warrant out for the driver's arrest
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or other chemical substance
These are not the only reasons. For some people, they may have a genuine fear for their safety. Commercial drivers may fear the loss of their commercial driver's license (CDL). Whatever the reason, the problem for you is that they left the scene of the accident.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Crash in California
Victims who have been hit by a driver who sped off can try to
- Stay calm
- Stay at the scene, but in a safe place
- Call the police
- Look for any witnesses who saw the crash and get their contact information
- Take photos of the scene of the accident
- Make notes of the car and/or driver, any details could be useful later
Depending on the circumstances, victims should not try to follow the driver for safety reasons. The odds of tracking them down are extremely slim, and leaving the scene could make it more difficult to prove that there was a crash, at all.
Personal Injury Claims Involving Hit and Run Drivers
Because the driver fled the scene, tracking them down might be the first step in a personal injury claim.
Ways to find the person are many but specific to each case. There may have been cameras or eyewitnesses that can help lead to the car and/or driver.
If the hit and run vehicle and driver are not found, you may have other options. For example, if you have uninsured motorist insurance. We can identify what those options might be, and if it is through your insurance company, we can work with the insurance adjuster directly. As you may know, even if it is your own insurance company, it does not mean your insurer has your best interests front and center of the claim. They may worry about their interests and may try to minimize or avoid paying for some costs. As strategic negotiators, our hit and run lawyer, along with our team, can help counter those attempts.
Contact a Hit and Run Accident Attorney in California Today
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, you can seek help for injuries you may have suffered. At The Law Office of Shawn Golshani | Shawn Gol Law, P.C., our personal injury and auto accident team based in Los Angeles can help. Contact us today at (310) 900-0809 to schedule a Free Case Evaluation and learn more.