Hit and Run Accidents
Santa Ana Car Accident Attorneys Experienced in Representing Victims of Hit and Run Accidents
No one ever expects to be injured in a car accident—and, if you get injured in an accident, the last thing you expect is for the other driver to flee the scene. But, the statistics show that hit and run accidents are alarmingly common in California. If you got injured in a hit and run accident, you have clear legal rights, and an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer can help you protect your legal rights by all means available.
In some cases, this involves identifying the hit and run driver. With the number of cameras on California’s roads, this is becoming increasingly common—and there are ways besides video footage to identify hit and run drivers as well. But, even if it isn’t possible to identify the driver who hit you, you may have other legal options available. Our Santa Ana car accident attorneys are experienced in representing victims of hit and run accidents, and we can use our experience to help you seek the financial compensation you deserve.
5 Potential Options for Seeking Just Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident in Southern California
When you are dealing with the aftermath of a hit and run accident in Southern California, the options you have available depend on the specific facts of your case. This is one of several reasons why it is important to hire an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer to represent you. An experienced lawyer will be able to quickly conduct a comprehensive investigation, and then your lawyer will be able to use the evidence gathered during this investigation to determine what claim (or claims) you can file.
With this in mind, here are five potential options for seeking just compensation after a hit and run accident:
1. Identify the Hit and Run Driver
Whenever we represent victims of hit and run car accidents, our first priority is always to try to identify the driver who is responsible for our clients’ losses. We have several means to do so; and, while there are no guarantees, we have been successful in identifying hit and run drivers in many cases. If we can identify the hit and run driver, we can file a claim under his or her insurance policy, against him or her directly, or perhaps against his or her employer if the accident involved a company vehicle.
2. File an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Insurance Claim
If it isn’t possible to identify the hit and run driver, now may be the time to use your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage—if you have it. This is optional insurance coverage under California law. Covered drivers can use their UIM policies in hit and run accident cases; and, in this scenario, your insurance company will “stand in the shoes” of the other driver’s insurer.
You can also use your UIM coverage if the other driver fled the scene because he or she was uninsured. This is a fairly common scenario. If filing a claim against the driver isn’t likely to result in recovery of your losses, then filing a UIM claim could be your best option in this scenario as well.
3. File a Claim for a Vehicle Defect
Another option in some cases is to file a claim for a vehicle defect. You may have this type of claim if either: (i) an issue with your vehicle contributed to causing the crash; or, (ii) an issue with your vehicle contributed to the severity of your injuries. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has raised serious safety concerns with the airbags installed in more than 100 million vehicles sold in the United States since 2000. If you suffered airbag-related injuries, you may be able to file a claim regardless of the auto insurance coverage that is available to you.
4. File a Claim for a Road Defect
Road defects provide similar opportunities for hit and run accident victims to recover just compensation. Blind corners, low shoulders, dangerous road construction zones and a variety of other road-related issues can contribute to causing serious accidents. If a road defect is partially to blame for your losses, this can provide an additional basis for our Santa Ana car accident attorneys to seek just compensation on your behalf.
5. File a Claim with the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may also be eligible to seek compensation from the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB). The CalVCB serves as a source of financial compensation in cases involving “crimes that result in physical injury or a threat of physical injury to the victim.” Hit and run accidents may fall into this category—which means that you may be able to file a claim with the CalVCB. Our attorneys can discuss this with you in more detail.
What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident
Regardless of the options that are available to you, you need to be proactive about protecting your legal rights after a hit and run accident. With this in mind, it is important that you try to do all of the following as soon as possible:
- Get the medical treatment you need, make sure you understand your diagnosis and follow your doctor’s advice.
- Write down everything you can remember about the accident, including any details about the hit and run driver’s vehicle.
- Report your hit and run accident to the police and your insurance company.
- Start documenting the financial and non-financial costs of your accident-related injuries.
- Talk to a Santa Ana car accident lawyer about the options you have available.
Talk to a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer for Free
Do you need help after a hit and run accident in Southern California? If so, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To speak with one of our Santa Ana car accident attorneys in confidence as soon as possible, call 714-882-4645 or request a free consultation online now.