Hit and Run Accidents

There is no such thing as a “good” accident, but being involved in a hit and run can be a terrifying experience that leaves you overwhelmed and stressed about how you will be able to handle the financial impact of your injuries and the damages you have suffered. California mandates that all drivers carry Uninsured Motorist coverage with their car insurance policy, which is ultimately the mechanism that we will need to rely on to ensure that you are paid for your damages and injuries if we are unable to locate the guilty driver, but the amount you are entitled to generally depends on the limit of your policy. 

The team at Grossman Law Offices understands that this can be a stressful, scary time in your life, and we want to work with you to reduce this stress as much as possible to allow you to focus on recovery. We have a history of success in hit and run accident claims, and we will be happy to use this experience to help you navigate your own process, whether it is through direct negotiations with your insurance company, or if the other driver is ultimately located and we are working with their insurance company.

Take a look below to learn a bit more about hit and run accidents in Fresno, and contact us now to schedule a free initial consultation where you will be able to speak with an experienced legal professional about how we can help you. We will use our time to discuss the specifics of your accident, any steps that you have taken so far, and how we can help you move forward with the best chances of a positive outcome.

What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident

After a car accident, it is the law for each driver to exchange their information so that each can contact the other’s insurance company. California Vehicle Code sections 20001 and 20002 states that after an accident, the driver is required to either inform the property owner of the damage caused to their property, or provide the other party or on-scene police officer with their name, drivers license, address, car ownership information, and more. Failing to do so can result in charges of leaving the scene of an accident, which comes with some serious punishments.

If you have been in an accident and the other driver fled, it is important that you write down as many details as you can possibly remember as soon as possible. Even a few numbers and the state of a license plate can be a big help if you are able to pair them with a make, model, and color of a vehicle. Memory fades, meaning that the sooner you record this information, the less you will need to worry about confusing or misremembering any of these details.

Call the police immediately. They will be able to take a statement, make a report, and begin investigating the accident and the scene to help with their attempt at locating the other driver. In addition, you will be able to get any required medical attention from the EMTs who arrive alongside the police. 

If You Are Injured, See a Doctor

No matter how mild your injuries seem to be, it is extremely important that you see a doctor for a few reasons. Obviously, the most important reason to see a doctor is to ensure that your injuries are properly addressed, treated, and any future complications are prevented. However, seeing a doctor has another benefit—establishing a paper trail that proves your injuries happened during the accident you were in. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the harder the insurance company will push back about whether or not the injury actually came from the accident that they are covering. 

California has a 2-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims (or one year from the time that you realized you were injured), so this is another reason why it is important to see a doctor early, have your concerns addressed, and monitor any and all symptoms.

Contact Grossman Law Offices Today

No matter where you are in your process, it is never too early to begin working with an attorney. If you are unsure of how we can help, or even if you need help, we will be able to discuss these questions during your free initial consultation.