Speak With a Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Today
Hit-and-run accidents are among the most frustrating and traumatic experiences a crash victim can face. In Los Angeles, where traffic congestion and crowded streets are a daily reality, hit-and-run crashes occur far too often. When a negligent driver flees the scene, victims are left injured, shaken, and unsure how they will recover compensation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, working with an experienced Los Angeles hit-and-run accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and explore every available path to recovery.
Farar & Lewis offer free consultations to hit-and-run accident victims throughout Los Angeles. Our legal team is prepared to act quickly, investigate thoroughly, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Hit-and-Run Accidents Are So Common in Los Angeles
Los Angeles consistently ranks among the cities with the highest number of hit-and-run accidents in the country. Several factors contribute to this troubling trend, including:
- Heavy traffic and congestion
- High numbers of pedestrians and cyclists
- Drivers operating without valid insurance
- Fear of legal consequences after causing a crash
- Alcohol or drug impairment
Many hit-and-run drivers flee because they are uninsured, intoxicated, or driving illegally.
What Qualifies as a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Under California law, a hit-and-run occurs when a driver:
- Is involved in a collision causing injury, death, or property damage, and
- Fails to stop, provide identifying information, and render aid
Hit-and-run accidents can involve:
- Vehicle-to-vehicle crashes
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents
- Parked vehicles
- Property damage collisions
Fleeing the scene is a criminal offense in California, especially when injuries are involved.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Hit-and-Run Accidents
Because hit-and-run crashes often involve reckless or impaired drivers, injuries are frequently severe.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe neck and back injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash and lacerations
- Wrongful death injuries
Victims may face long recovery periods and significant emotional distress due to the uncertainty surrounding the at-fault driver.
What to Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Accident
If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal claim:
- Call 911 immediately and report the accident
- Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
- Gather information, including vehicle descriptions or partial license plates
- Look for witnesses and obtain contact information
- Document the scene with photos or videos
- Avoid discussing fault with insurers before speaking to a lawyer
Quick action can significantly improve the chances of identifying the fleeing driver or securing compensation.
How Compensation Works When the Driver Is Not Found
One of the biggest concerns in hit-and-run cases is how victims recover compensation if the driver is never identified. Potential options include:
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
California requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage, which may apply in hit-and-run cases involving bodily injury.
Collision Coverage
If you have collision coverage, it may help pay for vehicle repairs.
Third-Party Liability
In some cases, other parties may be liable, such as:
- Employers (if the driver was working)
- Government entities (for dangerous road conditions)
- Vehicle owners other than the driver
A Los Angeles hit-and-run accident lawyer can evaluate all available coverage options.
Proving a Hit-and-Run Injury Claim
Even without the at-fault driver identified, evidence is still critical. This may include:
- Police accident reports
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage analysis
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction expert testimony
Prompt investigation often makes the difference between a successful and unsuccessful claim.
Why Insurance Companies Push Back in Hit-and-Run Claims
Insurance companies frequently challenge hit-and-run claims by arguing:
- The accident was not actually a hit-and-run
- Injuries are exaggerated or unrelated
- Insufficient evidence exists
- Coverage limitations apply
An experienced Los Angeles hit-and-run accident lawyer ensures insurers handle your claim fairly and in good faith.
How Farar & Lewis Handles Hit-and-Run Accident Cases
At Farar & Lewis, we understand how overwhelming hit-and-run accidents can be. Our legal team works quickly to preserve evidence and explore every available avenue for recovery.
We focus on:
- Coordinating with law enforcement investigations
- Obtaining video and surveillance evidence
- Identifying applicable insurance coverage
- Handling all insurer communications
- Accurately calculating damages
- Negotiating aggressively for full compensation
- Taking cases to trial when necessary
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Hit-and-Run Accidents
Most personal injury claims in California must be filed within two years of the accident date. Claims involving uninsured motorist coverage may have shorter notice requirements.
Taking action early helps preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Call Farar & Lewis After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Los Angeles
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you do not have to face the uncertainty alone.
Contact Farar & Lewis today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Los Angeles hit-and-run accident lawyer. We are ready to fight for your rights and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Sources
- California Office of Traffic Safety – Hit-and-Run Crashes
https://www.ots.ca.gov - California Department of Motor Vehicles – Hit-and-Run Laws
https://www.dmv.ca.gov - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – Hit-and-Run Crash Research
https://www.iihs.org
