If you are a victim of a hit-and-run in the Los Angeles area, you can seek damages both from your insurance company and try to source compensation from the driver. If you report the incident promptly and document any evidence, it can help support both of these outcomes, ensuring that your claim has the backing to be watertight.
Hiring a hit-and-run accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you handle this evidence and communicate it to anyone who needs to hear it, as well as negotiate with insurance companies or opposing counsel to help you recover costs while you focus on medical care.
Hit-and-Run Justice
The LAPD Traffic Division recently reported that dozens of deaths from Los Angeles car accidents involved a hit-and-run driver. As such, now, local courts are highly motivated to ensure that justice is available for every victim. If you were hurt in a hit-and-run in LA, regardless of whether the driver has been found, a hit-and-run lawyer might be just what you need to ensure you get yours.
Below, we outline the steps you should take following such an incident to increase your chances of obtaining justice. Read on to discover the legal options available to you, whether the driver is known or not, and then learn how the personal injury attorneys at Titan Law Firm can assist you by protecting the victim’s legal rights and helping them receive the compensation they deserve.
Can I Sue for a Hit-and-Run in California?
You can always bring a civil claim to the courts after such a serious incident, so long as you do so within the two-year timeline California sets. If you do not know the driver of the vehicle due to the nature of a hit-and-run, then you will attempt to claim uninsured motorist coverage in any auto policy you have. However, LA offers rewards for identifying hit-and-run drivers, so if authorities later find them, the driver can be held accountable, and you can attempt to claim compensation for accidents through them.
When filing a lawsuit against another party, your claims may go beyond just injuries. You can also pursue compensation for:
- Property repair or replacement
- Towing of a vehicle
- Vehicle rental
- Emotional harm
Make sure to keep receipts for all of these, as well as any repair estimates if you have not yet repaired the damaged item.
While they are not the person who performed the hit-and-run, you may also be able to sue the local government if a road defect or dangerous conditions contributed to the situation. Consult a qualified and experienced lawyer for the hit-and-run legal advice you need, and to determine whether compensation is a realistic possibility in your accident.
How Can a Hit-and-Run Lawyer Help?
Once you hire an auto accident lawyer, you should expect clear guidance on the full scope of your case. Your attorney will be transparent about:
- What you can expect your next steps to be
- The quality of your evidence
- The expected timeline for your case
- Any deadlines you need to meet immediately
- What a case strategy might entail
They will remain in contact with you, building an evidence plan with their team and retrieving any that you and the authorities may have missed.
A Los Angeles hit-and-run attorney can also assist you with key insurance steps, including demonstrating that you were not at fault. With access to a wide range of medical professionals, a lawyer should also be able to order a medical exam for you or order your records for review. They can create a clear record of the costs you are likely to incur for review by insurers or the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does the Police Investigate a Hit-and-Run in California?
When a hit-and-run occurs, law enforcement agencies in California act quickly to preserve and gather evidence that can help identify the driver responsible. The investigation typically begins at the scene of the accident, where officers collect every possible clue. This can include:
- Security footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or residential doorbell cameras that may have captured the collision or the fleeing vehicle.
- Debris such as broken headlights, mirrors, or bumper fragments that can be traced back to a specific make and model.
- Skid marks or patterns of impact that help reconstruct the direction and speed of the vehicles involved.
- Witness statements from bystanders, passengers, or other drivers who saw the accident or can describe the vehicle.
In some cases, police departments also issue public alerts or advertise rewards for information that leads to an arrest. This community involvement can provide valuable leads when other evidence is limited.
If you hire a civil attorney, they may conduct a parallel investigation to strengthen your case. Attorneys often work with private investigators, accident reconstruction experts, and subpoenaed records to uncover additional details. They also ensure that any evidence collected follows the proper chain of custody, so it remains admissible in court. By combining law enforcement’s efforts with independent investigation, victims have a stronger chance of holding the at-fault driver accountable and securing compensation for damages.
How Often Are Hit-and-Run Cases Solved in California?
The rates at which hit-and-run cases are solved can vary significantly based on the agency, the evidence available, and the priorities of that specific era. In general, however, investigations that take place in areas with more cameras tend to yield better results.
If victims have received more severe injuries from the hit-and-run, the case will also tend to receive more resources to help ensure justice for accident victims.
What Is the Best Way to Handle a Hit-and-Run?
After a hit-and-run, prioritize your safety and that of others in the area. Do not pursue the person who struck you or others and instead ensure that everyone gets the medical care they need. If you can remember any part of the license plate at this point, quickly write it down anywhere available, so long as nobody requires emergency medical care.
Then, call 911, or direct one other person who appears capable of doing so to avoid the bystander effect.
Once everyone is safe, begin collecting evidence by photographing the damage and debris where they lay, and record the names and contact information of witnesses.
Finally, you should contact a professional hit-and-run attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and help you seek compensation.
Find the Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles You Deserve
After a hit-and-run accident, your first priority should always be your health and safety, that is, seeking immediate medical care and reporting the incident to the authorities. But once those urgent steps are taken, protecting your legal rights becomes just as important. Recovering from the physical, emotional, and financial aftermath of a hit-and-run is not something you should face alone.
At Titan Law Firm, we are committed to standing by victims every step of the way. Our team is available 24/7 to provide guidance, answer your questions, and connect you with an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer in Los Angeles. We offer free initial consultations to help you understand your legal options, evaluate the strength of your case, and outline the best path forward.
With decades of combined experience handling complex accident cases, our attorneys know how to investigate thoroughly, negotiate aggressively, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We leverage our extensive network of accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators to build a strong case on your behalf, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Don’t let a reckless driver leave you without justice. Contact Titan Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.
Call us at (888) 848-2656 or visit www.TitanLawFirm.com to learn more.
Let us provide the legal representation, resources, and relentless advocacy you need to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the financial recovery you are entitled to.
