Maison Law of Bakersfield protects the victims of accidents involving a hit-and-run motorist and makes sure they receive the support they need to recover. Injury compensation is available even when an at-fault driver escapes justice and is never identified.
You can discuss your options to secure support in a free case consultation with a real Bakersfield car accident lawyer. Our free case reviews are confidential, and they come with no obligation. Get your questions answered by contacting us today.
What Should I Do After Getting Struck by a Hit-And-Run Driver in Bakersfield?
After getting struck by a hit-and-run driver, there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and give yourself a better chance of holding a suspect liable.
Try to collect these details at the hit-and-run scene if you are physically able to:
- Call 911.
- Check on anyone who suffered injuries. Get checked out by ambulance EMTs and go to the emergency room if necessary. You can advise officers about the details of your accident later if need be.
- Jot down anything you can remember about the suspect and the suspect’s car on a piece of paper or on your phone. It’s easy to forget this information while dealing with the shock of what’s happened.
- Tell police officers or the California Highway Patrol everything you can remember about the suspect and the other vehicle involved. This includes your memory of which direction the hit-and-run driver took off in. Law enforcement will be your only chance to locate a hit-and-run suspect.
- Take photos. Get photos of the damage to cars, lane markings, and any visible injuries. This evidence will be vital if the responsible driver is located and you must prove what happened to the driver’s car insurance company.
- Get witness contact information.
- Scan the area for surveillance cameras at homes or businesses and jot down their addresses for your Bakersfield car accident lawyer.
- Contact your insurance agent, because you may be depending on your own car insurance policy to get recovery support if a hit-and-run driver isn’t located.
For more information on what to do after a collision check out our ultimate guide to California hit-and-run accidents.
How Can I Get Accident Compensation if a Hit-And-Run Driver Is Arrested?
If a hit-and-run driver is eventually identified and arrested, your accident claim for injuries and car property damage can proceed like a normal car accident case. You would file an injury claim against the driver’s car insurance company and demand full compensation for your hardships.
This civil claim can be resolved regardless of the status of the criminal charges the suspect faces. The criminal trial is separate and will be decided separately. Hit-and-run victims can file injury claims as soon as they are ready and hopefully get the financial help they need quickly through a car accident settlement check.
A Bakersfield hit-and-run car accident lawyer would protect you from insurance tactics meant to limit the amount of injury help you received. Your attorney would evaluate any settlement offer with you and help you demand more.
How Can I Earn Injury Support If a Hit-And-Run Suspect Is Never Identified?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a great success rate for identifying and capturing hit-and-run suspects. If they aren’t caught near the scene on the day of the accident, they often get away with their crimes
Fortunately, filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance provider isn’t the only way for victims to secure help. Victims and their family members also have the option to file a claim against their own car insurance companies, when an at-fault driver escapes justice.
They would file a claim against the victim’s uninsured motorist coverage with their own insurance representatives. Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage comes with most car insurance policies. It’s not mandatory to have it in California, but in most cases, policyholders have to sign off to have it removed from a policy.
This claim would help victims and their loved ones get support for medical bills. In fact, your Bakersfield car accident attorney would be fighting to get support for you for more than just hospital invoices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of things can I seek compensation for from my Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Seek support for every medical bill you receive now and those expected in the future. Reimbursement for lost income. You should get support for physical pain and emotional trauma suffered. Money for car repairs.
How long can I wait to file a Hit-And-Run accident injury claim?
In California, you have two years to file an injury claim over a car accident. You shouldn’t wait years to act. Let your lawyer investigate a hit-and-run accident as soon as possible so evidence isn’t lost.
Can I receive support if a loved one is killed in a hit-and-run accident?
Yes. Families may file a wrongful death claim against the victim’s uninsured motorist policy. They can receive support for funeral costs, ambulance fees, and the income the victim can no longer provide for the family.
Contact a Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident Involving an Uninsured Driver
After an accident involving a hit-and-run driver, there’s a free and easy way to figure out your best options for getting support in recovery.
Speak with a Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer to find out what your injury is worth and how to hold an insurance company and others fully accountable.
Schedule a free case consultation with Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. This evaluation comes with no obligation to you or your family. If you do feel we can help you earn more, you won’t need any money to hire Maison Law. We don’t get paid unless your case is won, and then our fee comes out of the settlement money you receive.
