If you suffer injuries in a traffic accident that others have caused, you may assume you can seek compensation from the vehicle insurance policies that belong to the responsible parties. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run driver, however, you may be unable to identify the responsible driver. Even if the police manage to track down the driver, you likely will find that the driver has no insurance coverage. An Anaheim hit-and-run accident lawyer can help you navigate this situation and determine what options for compensation are available to you.
A hit-and-run accident can leave you with severe injuries and property damage. You may be facing significant medical bills and an inability to work for an extended period. Fortunately, Ben Crump Law, PLLC is here to help you explore all possibilities for legal relief in your case. Call (844) 730-0233 for information about how to get started.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
According to a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report, 737,100 hit-and-run crashes occurred across the United States in 2015. This statistic means that a hit-and-run accident happened somewhere in the U.S. every 43 seconds that year. Hit-and-run accidents are a frequent occurrence throughout the U.S., including in California.
Although drivers leave the accident scene for various reasons, many drivers flee because they are not carrying the liability insurance for their vehicles that state law requires. California Vehicle Code (VEH) §16430 requires that all drivers maintain the following minimum levels of liability insurance:
- $15,000 for injury or death to one person
- $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person
- $5,000 for property damage
Liability is different from comprehensive or collision insurance. It specifically covers injuries or property damage of someone other than the policyholder, which might be the driver or the owner of the car. As a result, if you are injured in a crash, you typically would rely on the responsible parties’ liability insurance coverage to compensate you for your losses. If this coverage is unavailable due to a hit-and-run driver, you may need to look at your alternatives. An Anaheim hit-and-run accident lawyer could help you with this task.
Give Ben Crump Law, PLLC a call today for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a hit-and-run accidents lawyer serving Anaheim, call (844) 730-0233
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
According to the California Department of Insurance, all insurance companies must offer you uninsured motorist coverage (UMC) when you purchase insurance. If you choose not to purchase it, you must sign a waiver of coverage, or a form that says the insurance company offered you the coverage, but you turned it down.
UMC can have two different forms of coverage. One covers bodily injury to you or any other person in your car when an uninsured or hit-and-run driver causes your accident. Policy limits are the same as those under your liability insurance policy, or $15,000 for injury or death to one person or $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person.
The other type of UMC is property damage to your vehicle that an uninsured driver has caused. This type of coverage is limited to $3,500 and is only available when you can identify the hit-and-run driver. Therefore, if the police later identify the driver who caused your accident and then left the scene, you may be able to use this coverage. If the identity of the hit-and-run driver remains unknown, then this coverage is unavailable. However, you may not need this form of coverage if you have collision coverage.
Filing a claim under your UMC policy can be one of the most effective ways to obtain compensation when you have suffered injuries and property damage due to an uninsured, unidentified, or hit-and-run driver. Having this type of coverage can be highly beneficial in these situations.
Anaheim Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Other Potential Sources of Compensation in Hit-and-Run Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can be complex. In many cases, more than one driver or another party is responsible for the crash that led to your injuries. Even if a hit-and-run driver is partially at fault for the accident, other parties could be partially at fault, too.
For instance, a third driver may share some fault for the accident. If that driver was driving during their employment at the time of the crash, then the driver’s employer also may bear some liability or financial responsibility for the crash. In other cases, a bicyclist could have played a role in causing the accident. The bicyclist also could face liability in a personal injury claim.
Likewise, a vehicle or vehicle parts manufacturer could face liability for the crash if a defective vehicle or part contributed to the accident. In that case, you could pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer. These are just a few examples of how parties other than a hit-and-run driver might be sources of compensation for your losses due to a crash.
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Let Us Handle Your HIt and Run Accident Today
The aftermath of any severe accident that injures you and causes you property damage can be stressful and overwhelming. When a hit-and-run driver causes your crash, you may be unsure how you can compensate for your losses. An Anaheim hit-and-run accident lawyer can examine the circumstances surrounding your accident and assess your alternatives for seeking compensation from all potentially liable parties.
We know that you likely are facing unexpected expenses following your crash, such as medical bills and unpaid time off work. We take your case on a contingency-fee-basis, which means we receive no legal fees unless you win your case. When you receive compensation, we do, too. You can count on Ben Crump Law, PLLC to advocate for your interests throughout your legal proceedings. Call (844) 730-0233 today to see what you need to do to get started.
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