SANTA CLARITA HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

According to the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), hit-and-run incidents are alarmingly common. In Los Angeles County alone, over 28,000 hit-and-run incidents are reported annually, with pedestrians, cyclists, and parked vehicles frequently involved.

California's Duty to Stop, and Why It Matters for a Civil Claim

Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001, a driver involved in an accident causing injury or death must stop and provide identifying information; leaving the scene is a crime. While that's a criminal matter separate from a civil injury claim, a documented violation of this duty can serve as evidence of negligence if the driver is later identified, since it reflects a clear disregard for a legal obligation. More practically, though, most hit-and-run cases hinge less on identifying the fleeing driver and more on what coverage is available if they're never found.

Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is Often Central to These Cases

In California, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is often the most important source of recovery in a hit-and-run case, since the at-fault driver frequently cannot be identified or located. UM coverage typically helps cover medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other costs, and it's claimed against your own insurance policy rather than the fleeing driver's. Because UM claims generally have their own reporting requirements and deadlines under your policy, separate from California's standard statute of limitations, promptly notifying your insurer after a hit-and-run is important.

Common Hit-and-Run Scenarios
  • Pedestrian and cyclist accidents: often involving a driver fleeing after striking someone on foot or on a bike
  • Vehicle collisions: ranging from minor fender benders to major crashes where the at-fault driver leaves the scene

Why Drivers Flee
  • Fear of consequences: including DUI charges, being uninsured, or having a suspended license
  • Panic or shock: an immediate, unconsidered flight response to the stress of the situation
  • Genuine unawareness: in some cases, a driver may not realize they struck someone or something

Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run
  1. Ensure safety — check for injuries and move to a safe location if possible
  2. Contact emergency services and report the accident to police immediately
  3. Gather information — the fleeing vehicle's make, model, color, and license plate, if possible
  4. Talk to witnesses and get their contact information
  5. Document the scene — photos of damage, injuries, and the location
  6. Notify your own insurance company promptly, given UM claim reporting requirements

Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accidents
  • Whiplash: from the sudden impact of a collision
  • Soft tissue injuries: strains, sprains, and contusions
  • Fractures and broken bones: particularly to the arms, legs, ribs, and spine
  • Head injuries: concussions and traumatic brain injuries from impact
  • Spinal cord injuries: potentially resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis
  • Internal injuries: internal bleeding or organ damage
  • Psychological trauma: anxiety and PTSD, particularly common after a hit-and-run given the added trauma of being abandoned at the scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the driver who hit me is never found?

Uninsured motorist coverage under your own policy is often the primary path to compensation when a hit-and-run driver can't be identified or located.

Does it matter that leaving the scene is a crime?

Yes, though the criminal case is separate from your civil claim. If the driver is later identified, a documented violation of California's duty to stop can serve as evidence of negligence in your case.

How quickly do I need to report a hit-and-run to my own insurance company?

Promptly. Uninsured motorist claims often have their own reporting requirements under your policy, separate from the standard statute of limitations, so timely notice matters.

How long do I have to file a claim in California?

In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, though UM claims may involve additional policy-specific deadlines.

Talk to a Santa Clarita Hit and Run Accident Attorney Today

​Robert Mansour is a personal injury lawyer in Santa Clarita, CA and can help advise you regarding your case.  He serves the entire Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and surrounding communities. Call Santa Clarita personal injury attorney Robert Mansour at (661) 414-7100 for a free consultation and evaluation of your auto accident case.  You can also fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.

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