Hit and Run is a Crime
Hit-and-run crashes caused by reckless drivers can leave victims with devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences. In Los Angeles, “The number of hit-and-run deaths has been increasing, with almost uniform annual upticks over the past decade.” For victims and their families, navigating the aftermath often means facing not only serious injuries but also the challenge of holding the at-fault driver accountable.
If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in this type of crash, you may be able to recover compensation, even if the driver hasn’t been identified. A hit and run lawyer in Los Angeles at Ellis Law can help you understand your legal options and advocate for you during this critical time. Schedule a free consultation today.
Hit and Run Accidents in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has one of the highest rates of hit-and-run collisions in the nation. According to a recent report, more than 7,500 accidents were reported last year, and only 1% resulted in an arrest.
Certain patterns are widespread in Los Angeles hit-and-run accidents, including:
- Collisions involving parked or unattended vehicles
- Sideswipes on freeways, central boulevards, and crowded arterials
- T-bone and rear-end collisions in intersections and heavy traffic
- Pedestrian and bicyclist knockdowns in bike lanes, crosswalks, and intersections
- Hit-and-runs involving motorcycles and scooter riders, who are especially vulnerable
- Freeway or arterial crashes, which are often high-impact and can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Why Drivers Flee the Scene
California law requires drivers to stay at the scene after a crash, but they may flee for several reasons:
- They may be driving without a valid license or insurance.
- They fear arrest for driving impaired or for outstanding warrants.
- They want to avoid the legal or financial consequences.
- They are panicked or in shock in the aftermath of a collision.
- They are in a stolen vehicle or fleeing from another crime.
Regardless of the motive, leaving the scene is a criminal offense in this state that can carry both criminal penalties and civil liability.
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Millions recovered for those injured by negligent motorists across California.
Unsafe Lane Change
The Plaintiff was driving when the Defendant made an unsafe lane change, hitting the rear portion of the Plaintiff’s car.
Read MoreRear-end Collision
Plaintiff was rear-ended by defendant, who was driving for a restaurant at the time of the accident.
Read MoreRear-end Collision
Defendant, driving a County of San Bernardino vehicle, rear-ended plaintiffs in heavy traffic.
Read MoreWhat to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
What you do after a hit-and-run accident can significantly impact your ability to recover financial compensation later. The steps to follow include:
- Call 911 immediately to request law enforcement and medical assistance if there are injuries. A police report will be critical later on if you need to file an insurance claim or take any legal action.
- Take pictures of any injuries and damage to your vehicle. Write down all the details you recall about the vehicle leaving the scene (color, make, model, plate number). Speak with any witnesses and ask for their contact information.
- It’s possible the crash was recorded by traffic cameras, CCTV systems, residential security cameras, or surveillance at parking lots, gas stations, or nearby businesses. Take note of your surroundings — if you see cameras or businesses that might have footage, make a note so your attorney can follow up before the video is erased. At Ellis Law, we move quickly to secure and preserve this evidence before it is lost, strengthening your case from the very start.
Prompt medical care is also important. Some injuries do not have obvious or immediate symptoms, but can worsen over time, e.g., concussions and internal injuries. Medical records also tie your injuries directly to the crash and can help support your case.
Embarking on litigation can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re recovering from a serious injury. That’s why you hire the best lawyer in the business.
Who Pays for Damages After a Hit and Run in Los Angeles
If the at-fault driver flees the scene, you may still have options for financial recovery through your insurance policy:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage: Pays for injuries to you and your passengers in hit-and-run situations. In California, UM can also cover property damage if the fleeing driver is identified, but some policies limit property damage coverage when the driver is never found.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage: This applies if the at-fault driver is identified, but their liability limits are too low to cover your losses.
- Collision coverage: Pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle after a hit-and-run, regardless of whether the other driver is found.
- Medical Payments (Med Pay): Optional coverage, which often has no deductibles or copays, pays medical bills (and funeral costs) for you and your passengers, regardless of fault.
- Health insurance: Can cover medical expenses not paid by auto insurance, though deductibles and copays may apply.
Note: UM/UIM is not required, but it’s strongly encouraged and built into most policies unless the policyholder explicitly opts out.
State Crime Victim Assistance
If insurance is insufficient or unavailable, victims of hit-and-run accidents may be eligible for help through the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB). This program provides limited reimbursement for qualifying victims who report the crime, covering certain expenses such as medical and mental health treatment, income loss, and funeral or burial costs.
What if the Driver Is Identified?
Although only a small percentage of hit-and-run drivers in Los Angeles are ever caught, law enforcement does succeed in locating some offenders. If the responsible driver is identified, you may pursue a personal injury lawsuit or a claim against their insurance provider — though any recovery will be subject to the limits of their policy.
This can allow you to seek broader compensation, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, beyond what is typically available through your insurance.
How a Los Angeles Hit and Run Attorney Can Help
Hit-and-run victims with catastrophic injuries must deal with medical bills, income loss, and potential long-term or permanent disability. An experienced legal team can help you navigate the claims process and maximize your opportunity to seek compensation for these expenses.
Gather Proof to Support Your Claim
Personal injury legal teams collaborate with highly regarded experts, from physicians and accountants to engineers and psychologists, to provide the expert testimony often needed to establish liability and damages in serious personal injury matters. They also gather and review camera footage, witness statements, and other evidence to reconstruct the crash and identify the driver when possible.
Negotiating with Insurers
After a hit-and-run, as noted above, multiple types of insurance may come into play, including Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, Medical Payments (Med Pay), collision coverage, and your own health insurance. Each has its own limits, exclusions, and deadlines, and insurers may dispute or undervalue claims. An attorney helps coordinate these coverages, pursue the maximum benefits available under each, and prevent insurance companies from shifting costs onto you.
Pursue Civil Litigation if Necessary
Your case may go to trial if the hit-and-run driver is located and negotiations break down. Your attorney will represent your interests in court, presenting evidence and testimony to a judge or jury. Depending on how the case unfolds, this could lead to a settlement offer during trial, or a verdict awarding compensation for your injuries and losses.
Legal Deadlines in California Hit and Run Cases
California has strict time limits for filing hit-and-run claims. Most personal injury cases must be filed within two years, while property damage claims generally have an additional year. However, there are some exceptions to the statute of limitations.
For example, if the victim is a minor at the time of the accident, or if an injury was not immediately apparent, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) until the harm is discovered or the victim turns 18.
Compensation in Hit and Run Injury Cases
Victims of California car accidents typically file an injury claim against the at-fault driver to recover financial compensation for their significant losses. Ideally, their insurance would cover the victim’s medical bills, other financial losses, and pain and suffering. However, legal options are still available when the at-fault driver is not apprehended or found. As noted, if you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to pursue compensation from your own insurance provider.
What Makes Ellis Law the Best Choice to Handle Your Case?
With over three decades of experience, Ellis Law provides outstanding legal representation to Southern Californians who’ve suffered serious personal injuries due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. Our skilled team of trial attorneys has recovered over half a billion in verdicts and settlements.
Our firm is a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our dedicated lawyers are members of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates.
No Fees Unless We Win
At Ellis Law, we believe that everyone should have access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial circumstances. That’s why we take cases on a contingency basis. You don’t pay legal fees unless we win compensation for you.
Client-First Representation
Our car accident injury attorneys keep you informed with clear communication and regular updates throughout your case. From your first consultation to the final resolution, you’ll be supported with care, professionalism, and personal attention every step of the way.
Schedule a Free Consultation at Ellis Law Today
A hit-and-run crash can turn your world upside down in an instant, leaving you overwhelmed and searching for answers. In addition to helping hit-and-run victims and their families pursue justice and fair compensation for their losses, we also partner with community members and law enforcement agencies to help apprehend these drivers and hold them accountable whenever possible.
If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no legal fees unless we recover compensation for your losses.
Find our office at
2230 E Maple Ave,
El Segundo, CA 90245
Attorney Spotlight
Andrew Ellis, Esq.
Founding Partner
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What to do after an accident: “Take as many pictures as you can. Go to urgent care or a hospital and document your injuries. Then call Ellis Law.”
