San Diego Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

In southern California, speeding is the number one factor behind any car accident. This statistic includes hit-and-runs. Driving at excessive speeds means less time for a driver to react to stimuli.

Who would leave the scene of an accident? Often the drivers are people who are already in a bad situation and are acting out of fear. This fact in no way excuses their behavior, but it shows they already prove they’re not responsible enough to drive. Those who leave the scene of the accident tend to fall into the following categories:

• Drivers impaired with alcohol or drugs – Their ability to notice and react to complex visual stimuli reduces dramatically, as does their capability of making wise decisions.
• Distracted drivers – The popularity of smartphones has come with an increase in distracted drivers who may not even notice others on the road or the damage they have caused.
• Drivers already in legal trouble or traveling with illegal items – Having firearms or drugs in a vehicle or a warrant for an arrest can cause people to flee when they are involved in a collision (even as a victim).
• Uninsured or unlicensed drivers.
• Illegal aliens.
• Panicked drivers – These individuals may react and leave quickly and then feel they cannot return and do the right thing.
• Elderly drivers – Some drivers have lowered reaction time with age, and vision problems may mean they don’t notice others until it’s too late.

The roads can be a dangerous place to be with some of these individuals on them. If you or someone you care about was involved in an accident with another driver who fled the scene, contact the San Diego hit-and-run lawyers of Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys. We will help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the appropriate people.

Yes, you can get financial compensation if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. A little-known fact is that insurance companies in California must offer everyone uninsured motorist coverage as part of their insurance package. The reason behind this rule is that an estimated quarter of the drivers in the state do not have insurance. You do not have to have this to make an insurance claim.

To file a claim for a hit-and-run case, you make it against your own insurance company. Your insurance coverage covers your physical injuries if you have met certain conditions. You must notify the police of the accident within 24 hours, and the insurance company must be made aware within 30 days. There also needs to be evidence of contact between your vehicle and another.

Phantom drivers are an insurance complication. These drivers may swerve towards you or veer into your lane and force you to take action to avoid a crash with them. Sometimes this means you lose control of your vehicle and end up in a collision or rollover. Unfortunately, laws do not consider these hit-and-run accidents. With no vehicle-on-vehicle contact, uninsured motorist coverage does not apply.

A hit-and-run accident lawyer can provide you with other options when you feel you have none. Sometimes, you may file a suit against the municipality for poor road maintenance. You could file a claim against a liquor establishment for allowing someone to drive when impaired. We can discuss alternative routes at the initial consultation if needed.

If the hit and run driver is never found, you still have options for seeking compensation. You may be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage, which can help cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Additionally, your personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage can also provide some relief for medical expenses. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the process of exploring all available insurance coverage and ensure you receive the support you need, even if the responsible driver is not identified.