California Hit and Run Accident Lawyers
California law mandates that a driver who collides with another vehicle, person, or property must stop and provide their contact information. Failing to do so is a hit-and-run offense, which is punishable under the law. The hit-and-run accident lawyers at Cutter Law P.C. can help people injured in a hit-and-run accident to pursue compensation for their injuries.
How Cutter Law Can Help After a Hit-and-Run Accident in California
Recovering compensation after a hit-and-run accident can be complicated, but you can rely on our skilled California hit-and-run accident lawyers to guide you through the process. We will help you understand the details of your case and advise you on your options, which may include filing a claim with your insurance company.
If our car accident attorneys determine you have a valid case, we’ll gather the evidence you need to prove your claim and file it appropriately to give you the best chance of recovering damages for your injuries. Sometimes, we may explore other options to help you recover compensation. For instance, if the actions of a government entity contributed to the accident, we will also hold them accountable.
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Featured Hit and Run Accident Attorney
Attorney Margot Cutter views her job as a way of helping people get back up after they’ve been knocked down, whether it’s from a car accident, medical malpractice or the loss of a loved one.
Cutter Law is as good as it gets! Margot is an outstanding trial attorney.
What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in California
After a hit-and-run accident, your top priority should be to take care of yourself and gather as much evidence as possible to help prove your claim and locate the hit-and-run driver. Here are the steps you should take:
- Stop your car: Park your car in a safe spot and check for any bodily injury and the extent of the damage to your car.
- Report the accident: Call the police and report the accident, even if no one seems seriously injured, or your vehicle only had minor damage. Police can investigate and identify the hit-and-run driver. In addition, a police report is important to prove your claim down the line. If you do not file a police report, it will be more difficult to prove your case, and insurance companies can take advantage of this omission to deny your claim.
- Gather evidence: Collect as much evidence about the crash as you can. Take clear pictures of the damage to your car and any injury. Document the crash details as soon as possible when your memory is fresh. Record as much detail as you can remember about the hit-and-run driver, including their personal features, license plate number, car model, and color.
- Speak to eyewitnesses: Look around to see if anyone witnessed the accident. If you find an eyewitness, talk to them and collect their contact information. Eyewitness testimony will strengthen your case and may help identify and locate the other driver.
- Seek medical attention: Not all injuries caused by car accidents are immediately apparent. Many people don’t experience pain or discomfort until 24 to 48 hours after the accident. Seek medical attention from your local emergency room or physician as soon as you can after the accident.
- Contact a car accident attorney: A skilled California car accident lawyer will negotiate with your insurance company to help you get adequate compensation to cover any damages or injuries you suffered from the accident.
California Hit-and-Run Laws
According to California Vehicle Code section 20002, any driver involved in an accident with another vehicle or property must stop their vehicle and exchange their contact information with the other driver, the property owner, or the person in charge of the property. If they can’t locate the driver or property owner, they must leave a note providing their contact information and report the accident to the police department without any unnecessary delay.
Failing to do so is a misdemeanor if the accident only results in property damage. The offense is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six months, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both.
According to California Vehicle Code section 20001, if the accident caused bodily injury, it is a felony punishable by up to one year of imprisonment, a fine between $1,000 and $10,000, or both. If the accident results in serious bodily injury, permanent disability, or death, the punishment becomes more severe.
How to Recover Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Accident
California is an at-fault state, which means you’ll recover compensation for your injuries in an auto accident from the negligent party and their insurance company. However, that option is unavailable if you don’t know the driver’s identity. In that case, you will have to explore other avenues. Your insurance policy may have additional coverage that allows you to claim compensation after a hit and run. Here are some of them:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage covers a policyholder involved in a collision with an uninsured driver. If you have this, you can claim compensation for bodily injuries caused by a hit-and-run accident. The insurance may cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, this won’t cover any property damage if the driver is unknown.
In California, the insurance company must offer you uninsured motorist coverage when you purchase your policy. You can choose not to buy by signing a waiver form.
Collision Coverage
Collision covers damage to your car caused by physical contact with an object, such as a rock, tree, building, another vehicle, or person. If you have collision coverage, you can recover compensation for your car damage. However, you must still pay the deductible.
MedPay
Medical payment coverage pays for medical expenses related to car accidents, regardless of who is at fault. If your insurance policy includes MedPay coverage, it can assist in paying for your medical bills and that of any injured passenger. This insurance doesn’t have deductibles.
Damages You Can Recover in a Hit-and-Run Accident
You may recover compensation for the following damages:
- Cost of car repairs
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death
Are Damages From a Hit and Run Covered by Insurance?
If you identify the at-fault hit-and-run driver and they have liability coverage, their insurance can pay for the damages you suffered from the accident. However, if they are not found, you may still get compensation if your insurance policy has add-ons like uninsured motorist coverage.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawsuit in California?
The car accident statute of limitations is the same as in other personal injury cases. Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you have two years to file an action for injury caused by another person’s negligence. However, contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident is always wise to ensure you don’t lose the right to file your claim.
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Work With Our Skilled California Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers
Hit-and-run accidents present unique situations that require working with an experienced lawyer. If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, our California hit-and-run accident attorneys at Cutter Law can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us for a free case review and guidance on your next step.
Attorney John Roussas obtained a $678,000 verdict on behalf of a pedestrian whose knee and pelvis were injured as a result of being hit by a vehicle.
Attorney Celine Cutter represented a cyclist in Sonoma County, California who suffered a broken jaw and a mild traumatic brain injury
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Start with a free consultation. We listen to what happened, how it’s affected your life, and what you need to move forward.
You’ll have a direct line to our attorneys. We keep communication open and ensure you always know what’s happening with your case.
From day one, we go all in—gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for trial if needed. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
The process for filing an insurance claim boils down to getting the information that your insurance company will need to pay your benefits.
Economic damages are the losses you can measure with dollars and cents, such as your lost wages, your past medical bills, and your future medical bills.
If medical bills exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, you can pursue compensation through other sources, such as underinsured motorist coverage.
As a family run California law firm we pride ourselves in providing every client personal attention and representation. The outstanding results we have gotten for our fire clients are a direct result of our commitment to understanding and presenting all aspects of their case.
Hear from our previous clients about the relationships we build together.
I found Margo and Brooks Cutter when I was looking for car accident lawyers in Sacramento to help me with my case. I am very glad I did. They were extremely professional and courteous and explained the process of recovery. They took the time to listen to my story and stayed in contact with me at every stage. If you are looking for the best Sacramento personal injury attorneys, Cutter Law is it!
Margot Cutter is one of the best personal injury lawyers in the Sacramento, California area. She treats her clients with compassion, kindness, and like family. If you or someone you know needs the best 18-wheeler, truck, or car accident attorney in Sacramento, I highly recommend that you choose Cutter Law P.C.
Brooks has a long-established, respected reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a record of proven success.