The aftermath of a hit and run can be overwhelming. If you were injured in this type of accident, a Newport Beach hit and run accident lawyer can help you take legal action.
The attorneys at Sweet James have been helping accident victims for over 25 years. If a driver hit you and then fled the scene, a Newport Beach car accident lawyer can work to locate them and help you seek compensation.
How a Newport Beach Hit and Run Accident Attorney Can Help
Hit and run cases involve challenges that standard car accident cases don’t. A California car accident lawyer can step in and:
- Collect evidence: A lawyer can collect accident reports, medical records, photographs, video footage, witness information, and other documentation supporting your claim.
- Work to identify the other driver: A lawyer can investigate where and how the collision occurred and gather evidence that may help identify the driver.
- Calculate damages: A lawyer can evaluate your medical bills, vehicle damage, and other losses and calculate your claim’s value.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: A car accident lawyer from Sweet James can negotiate with insurance companies and seek a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Provide representation: If a settlement isn’t possible, a lawyer can help prepare your case for trial and represent you in court.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
If you were injured in a hit and run, you may be able to recover a variety of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: You can pursue compensation for emergency treatment, hospital care, physician visits, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other accident-related medical care.
- Lost wages: You may seek compensation for income you missed out on because your injuries prevented you from working.
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries affect your future earning ability, you may be able to recover damages for diminished earning capacity.
- Property damage: You may be able to recoup the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, or other personal property.
- Pain and suffering: You can pursue damages for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities and hobbies you enjoyed before the accident, additional damages may be awarded.
- Punitive damages: You may receive additional compensation if you can prove the other driver acted with malice, oppression, or fraud.
A Newport Beach hit and run car accident lawyer can help make sure the insurance company doesn’t dismiss or undervalue any of your losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Hit and Run Claim in Newport Beach?
According to CCP § 335.1, the general deadline to file a personal injury claim for a hit and run in California is two years from the date of the crash. In addition, you have three years to file a property damage lawsuit.
Special rules may apply in certain situations, such as if a minor was injured, the other driver leaves the state, or your injuries don’t manifest right away. Since missing the applicable deadline can result in you forfeiting the right to seek damages, it’s critical to contact a Newport Beach hit and run accident attorney as soon as you can.
How Do You Prove a Hit and Run Claim?
Types of evidence that may help prove you were the victim of a hit and run include:
- Police reports
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Photographs of your injuries
- Vehicle damage
- Video surveillance
- Traffic-camera footage
- Dashcam recordings
- Witness statements
- Vehicle debris
- Medical records
A hit and run accident lawyer in Newport Beach can help collect evidence that supports your case.
What if the Hit and Run Driver Is Never Found?
If the driver who hit you cannot be identified, you can pursue compensation through your own uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, or collision coverage. These policies can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage.
In addition, if a third driver or other third party, such as a vehicle manufacturer or government agency, contributed to the crash, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against them.
A Newport Beach hit and run lawyer can work to identify the driver who hit you and help you take advantage of your own insurance if they can’t be found.
What to Do After a Hit and Run in Newport Beach
The steps you take after a hit and run can affect your ability to track down the driver who hit you.
It’s important to:
- Call 911: Report the accident and request medical assistance if anyone is injured.
- Document the scene: Take photographs of the vehicles, the roadway, signs, and any visible injuries.
- Identify witnesses: Ask witnesses for their contact information and determine whether anyone recorded the collision.
- Look for surveillance cameras: Nearby businesses, residences, parking facilities, and traffic systems may have captured the accident.
- Seek medical attention: Get evaluated by a doctor, even if your injuries don’t appear serious.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the collision and provide accurate information about what occurred, but don’t speculate about fault or give a recorded statement.
- Preserve evidence: Keep damaged clothing, vehicle parts, photographs, medical records, receipts, and other evidence that may be relevant to your case.
- Get legal help: A hit and run accident attorney in Newport Beach can take on your case and start searching for the other driver right away.
Speak to a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Newport Beach
Just because the driver who hit you fled the scene doesn’t mean you can’t pursue justice. A Newport Beach hit and run attorney from Sweet James can investigate your accident, attempt to identify the driver who fled, and identify all potential sources of compensation.
Book a free case review to get help with your case from our personal injury lawyers in Newport Beach.
