The state of California requires drivers involved in an accident to stop and report it if someone is killed or injured. Unfortunately, that mandate doesn’t stop hit-and-run accidents. The number of people killed in hit-and-run accidents rose more than 25% recently, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you were injured or otherwise harmed by a hit-and-run driver in San Bernardino and neighboring areas, the local lawyers at Kash Legal can help. If a driver causes an accident through negligent behavior in California, they bear financial responsibility for injuries, deaths, and property damage they caused. We can aid you in finding those responsible and receiving just compensation for the harm they did.
Hit-and-run accidents can happen to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and automobile drivers. Why don’t people stay after a crash despite the legal requirement? It may be fear of consequences, such as liability for damages and increasing insurance costs. Some drivers may be operating their vehicle under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances and want to conceal it. Penalties for driving under the influence are steep and can involve fines and jail.
Some hit-and-runs occur when people hit a parked car or other property, such as a garage or home. The drivers may believe they can simply leave and evade all responsibility.
Make no mistake, though. California vehicle accidents causing injury or death must be reported to the California Highway Patrol or local law enforcement within 24 hours. You must also make a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days in the case of a death, injury, or property damage of more than $1,000. It’s the law.
Hit-and-run drivers, if apprehended, can be charged with a crime. The penalties can include fines and jail time.
For hit-and-run accident victims, it’s very important to know who the driver is. If a driver has caused a hit-and-run accident through negligent behavior, they bear financial responsibility for injuries and harm stemming directly from the accident.
California requires vehicle insurance or other forms of financial responsibility for all registered drivers precisely because negligent drivers have this financial responsibility toward people harmed in a crash they’ve caused.
Victims can obtain damage compensation for medical bills, wages lost from work, pain and suffering, and property damage by approaching the at-fault driver’s insurance company or by bringing a civil suit for the damages. (Note that a civil suit differs from the criminal charges the state may bring.) But if you genuinely don’t know who the driver is, you can’t do either of these things.
If you or a loved one is harmed by a hit-and-run, you may be terrified, in pain, and furious. It’s important to take steps to move toward physical and emotional recovery.
If you are not seriously injured, call the police immediately. Give them all the information you have about the accident. If you know the license plate number (even partial), make, model, color, or any other identifying characteristics of the vehicle, tell them. Let them know of any other relevant details, such as speeding, weaving, or signs of erratic behavior. They can try to track down such a vehicle.
Police can see if local surveillance footage might have captured the incident. They can also talk to potential witnesses, such as pedestrians or store owners in the vicinity.
The police will file a report. Keep your copy of the report as evidence. The report will be shared with law enforcement to keep on the lookout for a similar vehicle.
If the hit-and-run happened in an area likely to have eyewitnesses, such as a neighborhood street or parking lot, talk to eyewitnesses. Again, you are seeking information that could identify the vehicle, such as license plate or car description. Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
Asking for information through a generally disseminated public appeal may be helpful. Flyers giving details about the accident and asking if anyone witnessed it could be posted locally, for example, with your contact information. It could also be posted on neighborhood group social media.
If you are seriously injured, let an ambulance take you to the emergency room or visit it yourself. If you are less seriously injured, see a physician as soon as possible. A doctor can assess whether you need medical care. If you do, keep all records.
It’s prudent to discuss a hit-and-run accident with an experienced lawyer. Lawyers know that finding the at-fault party in a collision is necessary to ensure justice. Our San Bernardino personal injury attorneys work with investigators frequently. They can ascertain whether surveillance footage may have images of the accident. They can also canvass areas for eyewitnesses.
Lawyers also work with forensic specialists who can work to uncover evidence about the crash, such as identifying information at the accident site or your vehicle.
While California law doesn’t require vehicle accident victims to report the accident to insurance companies, it can be a good idea. Your insurance company’s policy may mandate reporting shortly after an accident. If it does, the insurer could penalize you for not reporting it.
The hit-and-run attorneys at Kash Legal work with your interests in mind. We know that finding the driver at fault in a hit-and-run is necessary for your case. We work with the police, investigators, and specialists to find out the details of the case.
We can negotiate with insurance companies for a just settlement or bring a case to court for damages. Our first consultation is always free, and we work on a contingency fee basis. We are located conveniently in San Bernardino. Contact us today at (888) 527-4128 or by filling out our contact form.
We will be in touch within 24 hours.
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