Los Angeles Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Causing a car accident and fleeing the scene without leaving behind driver information constitutes the crime of hit-and-run. Every year, heinous hit-and-run drivers cause dozens of catastrophic injuries and tragic deaths in California. If you or someone you love is the victim of a hit-and-run accident, our Los Angeles attorneys may be able to help you fight for justice and compensation. Even without knowing the identity of the at-fault driver, your lawyer could exhaust other outlets for financial recovery. Contact us today for a free hit-and-run case evaluation.

Why Choose Us?

We have the depth of knowledge to allow us to thrive in all types of car accident cases. Our firm has been helping people since 1936.
We have a long history of successfully achieving outstanding results for clients, with over $5 billion in collective awards won.
We take pride in the fact that our lawyers have been at the forefront of many types of cases. We were the first firm in California to file a lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers in 1975, for example.
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis after Los Angeles hit-and-run accidents. You will only pay our fees if we win.

Why You Need an Attorney

A hit-and-run accident can be difficult to litigate. If the police do not find the perpetrator, you may not have the option of holding the at-fault party responsible for your damages. An aggressive Los Angeles car accident lawyer from Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can help you understand your other options, such as filing a first-party insurance claim. We can properly evaluate your case, take on insurance companies on your behalf and do our best to obtain you a fair financial award. You will have the peace of mind to focus on healing with our lawyers on your case.

Can You Recover Damages After a Hit-and-Run in Los Angeles?

An essential question victims have after hit-and-run accidents is who will pay the price of damages. The victim did not cause the accident, yet the at-fault driver is not available to take accountability. In California, an at-fault state, this can lead to confusion as to where to turn for financial assistance. Luckily, the answer may lie in your own insurance coverage.

Insurance companies in California automatically include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage when a new client purchases a policy. A client must manually refuse this coverage. The insurance company may then recommend the driver purchase collision and comprehensive coverage to make up for the lack of uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. If you have any of these types of coverage, your insurance company will most likely cover your damages after a hit-and-run accident.

Uninsured/underinsured driver insurance will cover a hit-and-run accident as if the at-fault driver had stuck around but did not have insurance. Your insurance provider may offer a settlement through your coverage according to policy limits. You should receive reimbursement for your vehicle repairs and medical bills. If you only have the minimum required California insurance, however, without additional coverage, your insurance provider may deny your claim.

When to File a Personal Injury Claim

It may be in your best interest to file a personal injury lawsuit in Los Angeles instead of settling with an insurance company if you suffered catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run car accident in Los Angeles. A lawsuit will generally result in greater compensation than an insurance settlement. You will need the at-fault driver or another negligent party present, however, to file a lawsuit. A third party such as the City of Los Angeles or a vehicle manufacturer could share fault for your hit-and-run accident. If so, your attorney can help you bring a claim against this party.

Steps to Take After a Los Angeles Hit-and-Run

If you get hit by another driver in LA, only for them to race off and leave you without information or answers, try to stay calm. You still have rights, and you should protect them as much as possible with the steps you take next:

Check yourself and others at the scene for injuries.
Call 911 from your cellphone to get the police to come to your location.
Request paramedics or seek immediate medical care.
When the police arrive, give them your version of events for the record.
Collect as much information as you can at the scene.
Take pictures of the crash scene and the surrounding roadway.
Write down what you remember about the other driver and vehicle.
Call your own car insurance company to file a claim.
Follow up with the LAPD for updates about the hit-and-run investigation.
Consult with a car accident lawyer at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP to discuss your legal options.

It may be more difficult to get fair compensation as a victim of a hit-and-run accident compared to a standard crash, but it is possible. True justice is worth pursuing – especially if the hit-and-run left you with serious or life-altering injuries and expensive damage. Our attorneys will do everything we can to maximize your financial recovery.

Types of Compensation Available

It is against the law for a motorist to flee the scene of an accident without stopping, under California Vehicle Code §20001. In the criminal justice system, a hit-and-run can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony and result in jail time and hefty fines.

In the civil justice system, a hit-and-run tort claim against the at-fault driver could lead to financial compensation to make victims “whole again.” Examples include:

Present and future medical expenses
Necessary health care
Property damage
Lost wages
Lost capacity to earn in the future
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death damages (if applicable)

It’s important to discuss how much your hit-and-run accident claim might be worth with a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles before accepting a fast insurance settlement – especially if you or someone you love suffered catastrophic injuries. An attorney will give you an accurate case evaluation that you can trust.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

To bring a personal injury claim against someone after a hit-and-run accident, you must act within two years from the date of your collision. California imposes a strict two-year deadline on all personal injury lawsuits. If you miss this deadline, you may lose any right to financial compensation.

In a hit-and-run case, if the driver’s identity remains unknown, this can toll or pause the statute of limitations until the date that the defendant is located. If the driver is facing criminal charges for hit-and-run, the courts may also choose to toll the deadline until the completion of the criminal case.

Note that this is the timeline only for a personal injury lawsuit – not a car insurance claim. You should contact an automobile insurance company right away to file a claim. Speak to a lawyer from Rose, Klein & Marias LLP about your hit-and-run case as soon as possible to avoid missed your time limit.

Contact an Accident Attorney Today

If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles that leaves you with bodily injuries or property damage and you need help handling the insurance claims process, turn to Rose, Klein & Marias LLP for immediate assistance. We can help you seek maximum compensation by exploring all potential outlets for financial recovery. Contact us online or call (213) 626-0571 today for your free consultation. Our Los Angeles and Ventura car accident lawyer is prepared to take on your case.