Hit-and-Run in California: What to Do, How to Protect Yourself, and Where Your Compensation Comes From
Few things are more jarring than being hit by a driver who simply speeds away. In an instant you are left injured, shaken, and facing an obvious question: if the person responsible is gone, who pays for the harm they caused? In California, a hit-and-run does not have to leave you without options - but what you do in the minutes and days afterward can make a real difference.
Here is how to protect yourself after a hit-and-run, and where compensation can still come from even when the other driver is never found.
In the Moments After: What to Do
Your safety and health come first, but a few steps can protect both your well-being and any future claim:
Where Your Compensation Can Come From
Even if the driver is never identified, you may still have avenues to recover. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy is designed for exactly this situation - though, as noted in California, a hit-and-run UM claim generally requires actual physical contact between the vehicles. Medical payments (MedPay) coverage can help with treatment costs regardless of fault. And if the driver is later found, a claim against them directly becomes possible. This is why reporting the crash and preserving evidence immediately is so important: it keeps every one of these doors open.
The Legal Weight of Leaving the Scene
California law takes fleeing a crash seriously. Drivers have a legal duty to stop and exchange information, and leaving the scene of an injury accident is a crime under the Vehicle Code - separate from, and in addition to, any civil responsibility for the harm caused. When a fleeing driver is identified, that conduct can meaningfully strengthen the injured person's position.
A driver who flees should not leave you to carry the cost of their choice. If you were hurt in a hit-and-run in California, Pogosyan Law offers a free consultation to help you find every available source of compensation - even when the other driver cannot be found.
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Call (818) 243-3900 or email info@pogosyanlaw.com - Glendale, CA, representing injured clients across California since 1999.
Disclaimer: This article is general information about California law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and every case is different - for guidance on your situation, consult a licensed attorney. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.