The shock and confusion following a hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling helpless and uncertain about your next steps. When a driver flees the scene of your accident, a Huntington Beach hit-and-run accident lawyer can help you identify all possible avenues for compensation and justice.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we believe in putting our clients first, always! Our experienced Huntington Beach car accident lawyers know how to overcome the challenges of these cases. Don’t give up hope. See what our firm can do for you to help you get the money you deserve.
Understanding Hit and Run Accidents in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach presents unique factors that contribute to hit-and-run incidents. The city’s popular beaches, nightlife, and tourist attractions bring heavy traffic and sometimes impaired drivers to the area. Pacific Coast Highway, Beach Boulevard, and other major thoroughfares frequently experience accidents, some of which escalate into hit-and-run cases when at-fault drivers flee the scene.
The reasons drivers flee accident scenes vary widely. Some lack insurance or valid licenses, others may be intoxicated or have outstanding warrants, and some simply panic. Regardless of their motivation, leaving the scene transforms an ordinary accident into a much more serious legal matter.
These cases present challenges for victims, who often must rely on their insurance, witness statements, surveillance footage, and other evidence to identify the responsible party and secure compensation. A Huntington Beach personal injury lawyer could prove invaluable when you cannot do this on your own.
California Hit and Run Laws and Penalties
California takes hit-and-run offenses seriously, imposing significant criminal penalties on drivers who flee accident scenes:
- Under Vehicle Code Section 20001, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a potential felony punishable by up to 4 years in state prison, fines up to $10,000, and restitution to victims.
- Vehicle Code Section 20002 makes leaving the scene of an accident involving only property damage a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and fines up to $1,000.
- When hit-and-run accidents result in death, drivers may face up to 15 years in state prison, depending on their driving conduct and criminal history.
- Additional penalties often include driver’s license suspension or revocation, increased insurance rates, and a permanent criminal record.
- The criminal statute of limitations gives authorities up to 3 years to file felony hit-and-run charges and 1 year for misdemeanor charges.
These criminal penalties operate separately from civil liability. The criminal case may provide valuable evidence for your civil claim, but it does not automatically result in compensation if you do not pursue a claim.
Hurt in an accident?
Our personal injury lawyers in Huntington Beach are here to help.
(310) 526-8383
Your Compensation Options After a Hit and Run Accident
When a hit-and-run driver leaves you with injuries and damages, several potential compensation sources may be available:
- Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can provide compensation when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or lacks insurance. This coverage applies to your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your auto policy may cover your immediate medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.
- Health insurance can cover your medical treatment, though you may need to reimburse your insurer if you later receive compensation from other sources.
- If the hit-and-run driver is identified, you can pursue a claim against their auto insurance or file a lawsuit directly against them for all your damages.
- In some cases, third parties may share liability, such as bars that served alcohol to visibly intoxicated drivers or government entities responsible for dangerous road conditions that contributed to the accident.
Handling Insurance Claims After a Hit and Run
Your uninsured motorist claim will trigger an investigation by your own insurance company. While you pay premiums for this coverage, the insurance company may still scrutinize your claim carefully before paying. They typically require evidence that the accident actually involved another vehicle that left the scene rather than a single-vehicle accident.
Your policy may require you to file a police report within a specific timeframe, typically 24 hours, to qualify for uninsured motorist benefits. This requirement highlights the importance of reporting the accident to law enforcement immediately, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
Some insurance policies include provisions requiring your cooperation with law enforcement in attempting to identify the hit-and-run driver. This may include providing any information you recall about the vehicle or driver and staying in touch with investigating officers.
How Our Huntington Beach Hit and Run Attorneys Build Your Case
We collaborate with local law enforcement to identify the hit-and-run driver. Our attorneys maintain professional relationships with the Huntington Beach Police Department and can follow up on investigations that might otherwise receive limited resources.
We seek out surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and residential security systems that might have captured the accident or the fleeing vehicle. This video evidence often provides the breakthrough needed to identify hit-and-run drivers.
For cases where the driver remains unidentified, we build comprehensive uninsured motorist claims and present them to your insurer. If the hit-and-run driver is located, we pursue all available insurance coverage and personal assets to ensure full compensation for your injuries.
Injured in an accident?
Our personal injury lawyers in Huntington Beach are here to help.
(310) 526-8383
Why Choose Omega Law Group for Your Hit and Run Accident Case
Hit-and-run accidents create unique legal challenges. Here are the advantages of working with Omega Law Group’s hit-and-run attorneys in Huntington Beach:
- Our attorneys understand the interplay between criminal and civil proceedings in hit-and-run cases. We know how to leverage information from the criminal investigation to strengthen your civil claim while respecting the distinct purposes of each legal process.
- We have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies in hit-and-run scenarios. This includes countering common tactics used to deny or undervalue uninsured motorist claims when the driver cannot be found.
- Our firm maintains relationships with private investigators who can supplement police efforts to locate hit-and-run drivers. These professionals bring specialized skills and dedicated resources to your case when law enforcement investigations stall.
- We provide personalized attention to every client, recognizing the emotional trauma that hit-and-run accidents often cause. Beyond legal representation, we offer guidance on medical treatment options, vehicle repairs, and other practical concerns during your recovery.
- Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we win your case. This arrangement allows you to access quality legal representation regardless of your current financial situation.
Have you been involved
in an accident?
(310) 526-8383
Contact Our Huntington Beach Hit and Run Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Huntington Beach or surrounding Orange County communities, let our family take care of your family during this challenging time. The attorneys at Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you pursue fair compensation and justice.
We offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain your options without any obligation. During this initial meeting, we’ll listen to your account of the accident, review any evidence you’ve gathered, and provide straightforward guidance on the best path forward.
Don’t let a hit-and-run driver’s irresponsible actions determine your financial future. Contact Omega Law Group today to speak with an experienced Huntington Beach hit-and-run accident lawyer who will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.
