Beverly Hills Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer

Beverly Hills Hit and Run Car Accident Attorney

We would hope that most people in Beverly Hills, CA would have the decency to stop and at least check on the well-being of others if they hit someone with their vehicle. We would also hope that they would follow the law and stay to share the required information with the other driver. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Hit and run drivers leave both injuries and a financial mess in their wake. Victims of these incidents are left wondering what they can do to get compensation for all the costs associated with the accident. That’s something we can help with at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP.

Compensation in Hit and Run Cases

Car accidents come with tremendous costs. There are medical bills, property damage to get repaired or replaced, lost wages, and much more. In the case of a death, there are funeral expenses and burial costs to worry about as well. After a hit and run, there are generally two ways that victims can seek some restitution for their costs. They are:

• File a claim against the other driver – This is only possible when the other driver is caught. Unfortunately, that does not happen in the majority of hit and run cases. However, if yours happens to be one of the rare cases where the other driver is caught, then you can file a claim against their insurance company, assuming they have one. You can also file a civil claim that proceeds separately from any criminal charges that they may face.
• Work through your own insurance – Sadly, drivers in hit and run cases often get away, leaving the injured parties and their families to deal with the full brunt of the costs on their own. In these cases, the victims will have to turn to their own insurance policy, including things like their uninsured and underinsured motorist policy, MedPay, and collision coverage. The higher the value of the policy, the more likely they are to get enough compensation to cover the totality of the costs.

In either case, insurance companies try to avoid paying out the full range of what they should. After all, any payment is going to come off their bottom line. By working with a skilled, experienced legal team, like Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, you can better your chances of getting everything that you deserve.

FAQs About Beverly Hills, CA Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer

What Are Drivers Required to Do After an Accident in California?

Hit and run accidents create a dangerous situation. At the very least, the victims are unable to figure out who to seek compensation for the accident from. At worst, urgent injuries go untreated because emergency services aren’t contacted. California law has attempted to address the problem by creating stiff penalties for perpetrators of hit and run accidents. Importantly, there are three legal responsibilities for any driver involved in an accident. They are:

• Stop the vehicle immediately.
• Provide their name and address to the other party.
• If requested, provide their driver’s license and car registration.

How Are Damages From a Hit and Run Accident Handled If the Other Driver Is Never Found?

Generally, if the other driver in a hit and run isn’t found, all costs associated with the accident will become your responsibility. However, your insurance may be able to cover a significant portion, or even all of it, depending on your plan. Some of the required California coverage can help, although you may need more than the minimum coverage to cover all your expenses. Useful coverage in these situations includes:

• Collision Coverage – This coverage can be expensive but extremely helpful in the right situation. This coverage will pay for any accidental damage to your vehicle. It doesn’t matter who is at fault or if the other driver isn’t found.
• MedPay Coverage – This can be helpful in paying medical bills. However, the minimum coverage of $1000 may not be enough, and it could be a good idea to seek a higher limit.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage – This coverage covers situations where the other driver in an accident is either uninsured or underinsured. This could also be used after a hit and run where the other driver cannot be found. California minimum requirements are $15,000 per person and at least $5,000, although it may be wise to carry greater than the minimum.

What Kind of Damages Are Paid Out From a Hit and Run?

The damages from a hit and run claim are those that are generally paid out under any car accident claim. This will usually consist of economic damages, which will cover the quantifiable costs associated with car accidents. Things like medical bills, car repair, lost wages, and future expenses, such as medical treatments or lost earning capacity, are pooled into this category. There are also non-economic damages that pay for less tangible things, such as pain and suffering or diminished enjoyment of life.

When Do I Need to File a Hit and Run Claim?

A claim in a hit and run case falls into the category of personal injury law. This means that the statute of limitations is two years. There are occasional exceptions to this based on situations where the injury is discovered later. If the hit and run driver is found years later, you may be able to file a claim then. Generally, though, two years from the date of the accident is the final point at which a claim may be filed.

We Can Help You Fight for Compensation in a Hit and Run Case

Whether you are fortunate enough to be in a situation where the hit and run driver was caught or you are going to have to make a claim against your own insurance, you are bound to get some pushback and have to fight for what you’re owed. Even your own insurance company will try to argue your own fault in the accident to keep from paying you everything that’s owed. If you want to be sure that you take every opportunity to get what you deserve, then Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, can help you. Contact us today to take a look at your hit and run case.