As we’ve discussed in a few of our previous blogs, California follows an at-fault system when it comes to car accidents. Essentially, this means that any driver who is at-fault for an accident will be liable to reimburse any and all parties that incurred damages as a result of the crash.
Sometimes, determining who is the at-fault driver is a fairly straightforward matter. But what happens when you are injured in a hit-and-run accident? Below, we discuss how to go about recovering compensation when you don’t have information on the at-fault driver.
Using Your Own Insurance Coverage
A hit-and-run collision is when another motorist causes a crash but doesn’t stop afterward. This leaves you, the injured party, unable to exchange necessary information with the other driver, such as their name, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
Since you are unable to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you may have to go through your own. Keep in mind, however, that you may only recover damages for bodily injury if uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is included in your auto insurance policy.
While this coverage is typically utilized for accidents with either an uninsured driver or one without sufficient coverage, it can also be used when you are injured in a hit-and-run accident.
Gathering Evidence Is Crucial
In order to successfully file a claim with your own insurance company, gathering the right evidence is crucial. Even if you are on friendly terms with your insurance company, the bottom line is that they won’t accept your claim if you and your attorney don’t prove what happened.
Here are some pieces of evidence that can be used to prove that your damages were caused by another driver in a hit-and-run crash:
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos
- Police reports
- Physical evidence, such as tire marks or traffic signs that match up with your side of the story
Helping You Financially Recover
When you’re going through the process alone, it can be difficult to recover damages after a hit-and-run accident in California. Our firm is standing by ready to assist you in filing a claim and pursuing compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You can be fully confident knowing your case is in the most capable hands.
Contact Effres & Effres at (818) 222-9720 to get started with a free consultation.