If you have been injured by a hit and run driver in the Los Angeles or Southern California area, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. We will evaluate your case and look at options you may have you weren’t aware of to be compensated for your injuries.

Hit and run accidents in Los Angeles

Hit-and-run accident statistics in and around Los Angeles are staggering. In Los Angeles County alone, more than 28,000 hit-and-runs were reported during the 2015 year. They’re so common that about 50 percent of all accidents in Los Angeles County are hit-and-runs.

Most hit-and-runs involve property damage only, but unfortunately others involve injuries and deaths. According to the California Highway Patrol, about 4,000 people are killed or injured in hit-and-runs every year. Pedestrians make up about 60 percent of all hit-and-run accident victims, and nearly 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths involve hit-and-run drivers. They’re responsible for about 10 percent of all fatal motor vehicle injury accidents.

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Does my insurance cover hit and runs, and should I talk to them?

In the event there are serious injuries involved it is in your best interest to speak to an experienced injury lawyer. If we are not needed or you are better off without us we will inform you. If we can be of assistance we may be a huge benefit, drastically changing the outcome of your case.

When you make an uninsured motorist claim, your own insurance company who you’ve been paying premiums to for many years steps into the shoes of the uninsured driver, and it defends your claim against it. That insurance company is now your adversary. It will make every effort at paying as little as possible or nothing at all on your claim. Since the claim is like making a personal injury claim against the hit-and-run driver’s insurer, you’ll want experienced and aggressive legal representation.

Standard uninsured motorist coverage will cover you or any member of your family who resides with you and is a blood relative for injuries and damages that were caused as a result of the negligence of a hit-and-run driver. The coverage is automatic unless you waive it in writing. Uninsured motorist insurance is inexpensive, and at a minimum, it provides you with at least some protection against that significant segment of society that drives by the seat of their pants. All of those blood relatives who live with you are probably directly or indirectly described as “additional insureds” in your policy. They’re all likely covered as motorists, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians if:

  • There was even minimal physical contact with the hit-and-run vehicle
  • The incident was immediately reported to police, and a police report was made
  • There was timely notice of the hit-and-run to your own insurance company

Although your insurance company might not require them, it’s also advisable that SR-1 and SR-19 forms be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible after the accident.

What’s important to know about your uninsured motorist insurance is that you’re all insured up to the limits of your liability coverage. For example, if you have only $20,000 of liability coverage, your uninsured motorist coverage has a $20,000 limit. If you have $100,000 of liability coverage, that $100,000 is your policy limit on your uninsured motorist coverage too.

Why do people leave the scene of accidents in Los Angeles?

There is no good reason to leave the scene of an accident. It is against the law and many people go to prison for this. There are, however, some common “reasons” people give for leaving the scene:

  • No license.
  • DUI
  • Want to avoid insurance hikes

In other cases, some people may have outstanding warrants.

Where do most hit an run accidents occur?

A hit and run accident can happen literally anywhere in the world. The NBC I-Team did an investigation on hit and runs and as part of it created a map showing where hit and runs occur in Los Angeles County. They take place literally everywhere, although as seen below, there are a few hot spots.

Do I need a lawyer for my hit and run?

If you think that you have an uninsured motorist claim, don’t give your insurer a statement of any kind. By giving that statement, you’ll be giving up valuable rights that you won’t get back, and you can be certain that your insurer will try to use it against you in the future. Preserve and protect your rights, and talk to us as soon as that insurance adjuster asks for a statement.

Given the statistics, hit-and-run crashes are a California epidemic. There’s no excuse for driving without insurance. We’re committed to pursuing justice and maximum compensation for California hit-and-run victims and their families. If you haven’t declined uninsured motorist coverage, you have options when you’ve been injured by a hit-and-run driver. Exercise them, and contact us right away for a free consultation and case evaluation after any hit-and-run accident.

 

A recent review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was in an accident where my car was totaled. At first, I thought I could handle things by myself but then my pain began to get much worse. I hired Allen based on the recommendation of a friend and he did not disappoint. He was very fast in answering my calls and emails. He also got me the maximum settlement from the other person’s insurance and then got me compensation from my insurance too. – James

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