Hit-And-Run Accidents
We Can Help You Get Justice and Fair Compensation for Your Hit and Run Injuries
When you are involved in a car accident, you immediately experience a great deal of financial and emotional stress. This stress is compounded when the other driver leaves the site without warning, creating a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. So, if the at-fault driver flees the scene, how can you recover damages? Quite simply, by hiring a specialized hit and run accident lawyer.
Hit-and-run cases are more complicated than normal accidents because it is unclear who the other driver is. This creates a domino effect when it comes to filing a claim and receiving compensation. However, with the help of an experienced car crash attorney like those at Adamson Ahdoot, victims can often obtain successful settlements.
If you have been injured in a hit and run accident and want to know what your legal options are, contact a lawyer at Adamson Ahdoot. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we are the #1 choice for hit-and-run claims in California. Call us today at (800) 310-1606 or submit your inquiry online. Our bilingual team is available 24/7.
Understanding Fault
California is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the damage must pay to fix it. This includes damage to the vehicle, bodily injury, lost wages, and emotional distress. If both drivers are at fault for the accident, each driver pays for the damages they caused. For example, if insurance adjusters determine that you’re 40% at fault, you’ll pay for 40% of the repairs.
The opposite of at fault is no fault, which exists in 12 states and the District of Columbia. When a car accident occurs in a no-fault state, it does not matter who is more responsible – your insurance will pay some or all of the medical and auto bills.
It’s much easier to get compensation in a no-fault state because you don’t have to identify the driver. While California drivers are required to carry proof of insurance and exchange contact information after an accident, some drivers don’t. Hit-and-run drivers deliberately make it difficult for victims to successfully file an insurance claim.
Ways to Get Compensation
The initial hiring of a hit and run accident lawyer can drastically improve your chances of obtaining compensation. Experts like those at Adamson Ahdoot have the experience and knowledge necessary to successfully handle your case.
Our auto accident attorneys understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize claims and know how to overcome major obstacles, such as proving fault. Here are five ways to seek compensation in a hit-and-run case.
Collision Coverage
No matter what, collision coverage will reimburse you for some damages. It’s an optional part of auto insurance that covers repairs in the event of an accident. This means you can hit another car or object, such as a telephone pole or tree, and still get money after paying your deductible.
Keep in mind that collision coverage doesn’t cover everything. For instance, it doesn’t pay for your medical bills or damage to the other person’s car. It also doesn’t protect your vehicle from cosmetic damage caused by theft or hail.
Negligent Driver Insurance
Negligent driving insurance is another way to get compensation. However, it is optional in California. This means that you must choose to purchase the negligent driver coverage. It is not automatically included in your insurance policy.
This insurance applies when the other driver is negligent. You must prove that a “reasonably prudent” driver would not have done the same thing. In addition, you must prove that the discrepancy in your actions was the cause of the car accident and subsequent damages.
For example, if a fly flew into a car, a reasonably prudent person would open the window to let it fly out. A less prudent person would try to swat it, look away from the road, and end up crashing into the car in front of him. Poor decision-making goes hand-in-hand with negligent verdict.
Make a MedPay Claim
MedPay, also known as medical payments’ coverage, covers medical expenses related to a car accident. It helps insured drivers and their passengers, regardless of who is at fault. There are no deductibles or restrictions on medical providers. It also covers some of the following expenses:
- Doctor’s bills.
- Hospital bills.
- Ambulance bills.
- Rehabilitation.
- X-rays and MRIs.
- Short- and long-term care and nursing.
- Medical equipment.
- Prosthetics.
MedPay provides cost-effective coverage for the underinsured or those with high deductibles. It works as a supplement to your medical insurance, so terms and conditions vary by region. MedPay typically works on a per-incident basis, which means that filing a claim won’t affect your total annual or lifetime benefits.
MedPay has its limitations and won’t cover all types of injuries. For example, it won’t pay for damages that exceed the policy limit or for injuries from non-vehicle accidents. MedPay also doesn’t cover auto repair bills or property damage.
Seek Restitution
Running the scene of an accident is a felony in California. It carries a mandatory jail sentence and a possible fine of up to $10,000. If authorities find and charge the at-fault party, you can ask the court for restitution as part of the sentence. Restitution payouts cover car damage, lost wages, medical bills, and emotional distress.
File an Uninsured Motorist Claim
California is one of the states that accept uninsured motorist claims. The claim typically occurs when the other driver does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for damages. If you successfully file the motion because of a hit-and-run, insurance providers won’t require you to pay the deductible.
Making a claim requires knowing the other party’s insurance, which is challenging but not impossible. Eyewitnesses or local police may locate the culprit after the accident so that you can ask for compensation. Authorities solve a minority of hit-and-run cases, so an uninsured motorist claim shouldn’t be your first choice.
Reach Out to Our Experts at Adamson Ahdoot LLC
If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run accident, contact a personal injury lawyer at Adamson Ahdoot LLP. Call us today at (800) 310-1606 so we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accidents
If the other driver flees after hitting your car, write down every detail you can remember about the vehicle: color, make, model, and license plate number. Talk to any witnesses as they may have seen what the other driver looked like, and make sure you obtain their contact information. You’ll want to present this information to your car accident attorney, police officers, and your insurance company.
If the hit-and-run driver is never identified, you may still be able to recover damages. However, you can dramatically improve your chances of recovering compensation by hiring an experienced hit and run car accident lawyer. Especially if you turn to the team at Adamson Ahdoot. No matter what happens, collision coverage will reimburse you for some property damage. In addition, if you have at-fault insurance or MedPay, you may be able to file a claim for injury-related damages.
If you’ve been injured or sustained property damage over $750 after a hit-and-run accident in California, you have ten days to file a claim with your insurance company and the California DMV. Remember that reporting your accident to your insurer is not the same as suing another driver for injuries, which has a statute of limitations of six years.