Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
Recovering Compensation When the At-Fault Driver Flees in California
Being hit by a driver who flees the scene is frightening and infuriating — but you are not out of options. Even if the at-fault driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist coverage can often pay for your injuries.
Hit-and-run claims have special rules in California, and acting fast to report the crash and preserve evidence is critical. With over $1 billion recovered, Frank Penney Injury Law knows how to build these claims and pursue every available source of recovery.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run
The steps you take in the first hours can determine whether your claim succeeds.
Call 911
Report the crash to police immediately and get a report number.
Document Everything
Note the fleeing vehicle’s make, color, and any partial plate.
Find Witnesses
Independent witnesses can corroborate your account, which California requires.
Look for Cameras
Nearby businesses and traffic cameras may have caught the crash.
Get Medical Care
See a doctor promptly and keep all records.
Notify Your Insurer
Report the hit-and-run to start your uninsured motorist claim.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is Your Key
When the at-fault driver can’t be identified, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage steps in. California generally requires actual physical contact between the hit-and-run vehicle and you or your car, plus evidence beyond your own statement, so corroboration matters. This is a claim against your own insurer, which is exactly why representation helps.
Hit-and-run recovery usually runs through your uninsured motorist coverage. It is still a car accident claim — see what your case is worth. We serve Sacramento, Roseville, and Oakland.
How We Help Hit-and-Run Victims
- Identifying the fleeing driver
- Securing camera and witness evidence
- Meeting the physical-contact requirement
- Filing the uninsured motorist claim
- Fighting your insurer’s denial tactics
- Pursuing any identified at-fault party
Hit-and-Run Accidents FAQs
Can I get compensation if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Often yes. Your own uninsured motorist coverage is designed for exactly this situation and can pay for your injuries when the at-fault driver flees and is not identified. California requires insurers to offer this coverage, so you may have it even if you did not realize it.
Does California require physical contact for a hit-and-run claim?
Generally yes. For an uninsured motorist hit-and-run claim, California law typically requires actual physical contact between the phantom vehicle and you or your car, supported by evidence beyond your own statement. A prompt police report and witnesses are important.
What should I do right after a hit-and-run?
Call 911 and report it, write down everything you remember about the fleeing vehicle, look for witnesses and cameras, get medical care, and notify your own insurer. Then speak with an attorney before giving any recorded statement.
How long do I have to file a hit-and-run claim?
Uninsured motorist claims have their own notice and time requirements that can be stricter than the general two-year deadline, and some require prompt reporting to police and your insurer. Contact an attorney quickly to protect your rights.