When a driver leaves the scene of an accident, they commit a criminal offense. According to California Vehicle Code section 20001, “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”
A driver must stop, provide their contact details, and provide reasonable assistance to any injured parties. Leaving the scene of an accident with any injured persons or deaths can result in being charged with a felony in California.
Unfortunately, hit and run accidents are common. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), more than one hit and run accident happens in the U.S. every minute, with an average of 682,000 hit and run accidents occurring every year.
If you got hurt or a loved one died in a hit and run accident, a San Francisco hit and run accident lawyer might be able to help you. You may be able to recover compensation for any injuries and expenses relating to the accident. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for a free evaluation of your hit and run accident case at (844) 730-0233.
Hit and Run Accidents
Getting hurt in an accident with a hit and run driver can be painful, devastating, and infuriating. You may have suffered severe injuries and extensive property damage through no fault of your own, yet there may not be anybody you can hold to account for your damages.
With nobody to take responsibility for the accident, your options to get justice may be limited. You may not know where to turn in order to get compensation for all your medical bills and other expenses.
However, there are options, and help is available. In the first instance, you could check with your own car insurance. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you could recover an amount to help with your costs. However, if you suffered serious injuries or a loved one died in a hit and run accident, uninsured motorist coverage will most likely not be sufficient in covering all the damages.
Quickly snapped cell phone pictures, as well as traffic camera footage, can help to find the perpetrator of a crime. This can be the case even when a hit and run driver flees an accident scene immediately.
If you or any witnesses managed to get pictures of the accident scene or the hit and run driver’s car, you might have secured crucial evidence to hold the at-fault driver to account. If you also have contact details of witnesses who saw what happened, it is quite possible that the culprit will be found and can be held to account eventually.
A San Francisco hit and run accident lawyer can advise you on your next best steps if you suffered injuries and property damage in a hit and run accident.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accidents lawyer serving San Francisco, call (844) 730-0233
Compensation in Hit and Run Accidents
If the authorities manage to track down a hit and run accident driver successfully, you can hold them to account for their actions and offenses. Unlike in some other wrongful death or personal injury cases, a plaintiff in a hit and run accident has a good chance to receive punitive damages due to the driver’s reckless actions. Punitive damages should serve as punishment as well as a deterrent for the crime.
An accident victim or their family may also recover the following compensation in a hit and run accident claim:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Disability
You could also receive other compensation, depending on your injuries and losses.
San Francisco Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
A Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Can Help
If another driver caused your accident and injuries or your loved one’s death before fleeing the accident scene, we could help you. Once a driver is identified and caught, you could have legal recourse.
Even if the driver has disappeared, you can consult with a San Francisco hit and run accident lawyer to find out whether we can help you get an insurance payout. You could also potentially file a lawsuit before the authorities manage to track down a driver.
We could help you in several ways, including but not limited to:
Weighing Your Legal Options
We can advise you on any legal options you might have in order to get justice and compensation from the at-fault driver or from insurance companies. We know which laws apply and how to handle hit and run accident cases.
Building Your Case
We can thoroughly analyze your case and gather all the necessary evidence for your claim against a hit and run driver. Evidence can include traffic camera footage, medical records, police reports, accident photographs, witness statements, and other supportive documents.
California Statute of Limitations on Hit and Run Accidents
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the hit and run accident to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver. Statute of limitations CCP section 335.1 dictates this deadline.
If you do not know who hit you, it will take time for police and your lawyer to investigate the identity of the negligent driver. If you are successful in identifying the driver, you will also want to have ample time to negotiate with their insurer for a fair settlement.
All of these details require time, and two years can pass by quickly when you are recovering from severe injuries. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC to get started on your case so that you can retain the right to file a lawsuit if needed. Call us at 800-959-1444.
Negotiating with Insurances
Do not get discouraged even if the authorities cannot locate the driver who caused your injuries. We may be able to help you negotiate with your insurance adjusters to try and obtain a fair settlement. In order to try and achieve this, we will assess all your damages arising from the accident, including any potential future costs.
Handling Your Court Case
If law enforcement finds the at-fault driver, you could have legal recourse in court. We can represent you and fight for your rights.
If you are considering legal action to recover compensation, do not wait. The California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 only gives you two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. The time starts ticking down on the date of the accident, or on the date of the death of your loved one.
However, even if the at-fault driver remains missing, you can still start the process of making an insurance claim, and we can help.
Do not delay speaking with us about your case. We work on a “no win, no fee” basis, so you have no financial risk. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today and discuss your legal options with one of our team members at (844) 730-0233.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form