California Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Being injured in a hit and run accident leaves victims facing a uniquely frustrating situation — serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and a driver who fled the scene and may never be identified. What many people do not realize is that compensation may still be available even when the at-fault driver cannot be found.

Kantzabedian Law Firm represents individuals injured in hit and run accidents throughout Los Angeles County and across California. These cases are handled with a focus on identifying all available sources of compensation, preserving critical evidence, and pursuing full recovery on behalf of injured victims. We speak English, Spanish, and Armenian.

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What Is a Hit and Run Accident?

A hit and run accident occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to identify themselves, provide insurance information, or render aid. Under California law, leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense — but that does not always mean the driver is caught or identified.

Hit and run accidents in California involve:

Drivers who flee immediately after impact
Drivers who stop briefly but leave before exchanging information
Vehicles that strike parked cars, pedestrians, or cyclists and flee
Phantom vehicles that cause accidents without making contact

Even when the at-fault driver is never identified, injured victims have legal options.

How Compensation Works in Hit and Run Cases

Many people assume that if the at-fault driver cannot be identified, there is no way to recover compensation. That is not always true. Several sources of compensation may be available depending on the circumstances:

Uninsured Motorist Coverage — If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto insurance policy, that coverage may apply to hit and run accidents where the at-fault driver is not identified. This is one of the most important sources of recovery in hit and run cases and is why carrying UM coverage is strongly recommended in California.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage — If the at-fault driver is identified but carries insufficient insurance to cover your damages, your own underinsured motorist coverage may provide additional compensation.

Third Party Liability — In some hit and run cases, other parties may share responsibility — such as a property owner whose obstruction contributed to the accident, or an employer whose employee fled the scene.

California Victim Compensation — In certain circumstances, victims of hit and run accidents may be eligible for compensation through the California Victim Compensation Board.

Why Hit and Run Cases Require Immediate Action

Evidence in hit and run cases disappears quickly. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and residential cameras is often overwritten within 24 to 72 hours. Witnesses disperse. Physical evidence at the scene is lost.

Acting immediately after a hit and run accident can make the difference between identifying the at-fault driver and losing that opportunity entirely. Steps that may help include:

Calling 911 immediately and filing a police report
Noting any details about the vehicle — color, make, model, partial plate
Identifying potential witnesses and obtaining their contact information
Documenting the scene and injuries with photographs
Notifying your own insurance carrier promptly
Avoiding detailed recorded statements before understanding your rights

Early decisions in hit and run cases directly affect what compensation may be available.

Common Hit and Run Accident Injuries

Hit and run accidents frequently involve serious injuries because the at-fault driver typically flees high-speed or high-impact collisions, including:

Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Neck and back injuries including disc herniations
Fractures and orthopedic injuries
Internal injuries and organ damage
Nerve damage and chronic pain
Wrongful death

Who May Be Responsible

Depending on the circumstances, compensation in a hit and run case may come from:

The injured person's own uninsured motorist coverage
The injured person's underinsured motorist coverage
A third party whose negligence contributed to the accident
The at-fault driver's insurer if the driver is later identified
California Victim Compensation in certain circumstances

Potential Compensation

Depending on the circumstances and available coverage, compensation may include:

Medical expenses and ongoing treatment
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage
Out-of-pocket expenses
Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Time limits apply. Uninsured motorist claims have specific notice and procedural requirements that must be followed carefully.

How These Cases Are Handled

Hit and run accident cases require immediate action and careful handling, including:

Conducting an immediate investigation to identify the at-fault driver where possible
Preserving surveillance footage and physical evidence before it is lost
Reviewing all available insurance coverage including UM and UIM policies
Navigating the procedural requirements of uninsured motorist claims
Identifying all other potential sources of compensation
Preparing for negotiation or litigation when necessary

Each case is handled with an understanding of how it will be evaluated and challenged by the other side.

Hit and Run Accident Cases Throughout California

Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Los Angeles
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Glendale
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Burbank
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer San Fernando Valley
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Palm Springs
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Bakersfield
Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Sacramento

California Hit and Run Accident Lawyer