Even though California has strict laws against fleeing the scene of an accident (Cal. Veh. Code 20002, there is still a very high number of hit and run crashes in the state. In fact, in 2015 there were over 500 hit and run accidents that resulted in injury or death in San Francisco alone. While some victims believe there is no remedy for being injured in a hit and run accident since the aggressor driver is unidentified, that is simply not the case. Make sure you speak with an experienced Marin County car accident attorney immediately to learn more about your rights and remedies after being injured in a hit and run accident.
Gathering Evidence After a Hit and Run Accident
The first thing you’ll want to do after being involved in a hit and run accident is to gather all the evidence you can. This means taking photos and videos of your vehicle, any injuries you incurred, and obtaining a repair estimate for your vehicle. Try to remember everything you can about the other vehicle, inlcuidng make, model, color and license plate information, and write it all down before you forget any details. Try to remember as much as you can about the driver’s physical description as well. You should also contact the police and make a report as soon as you are safe and medically stable. . Your also need report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible.
Contacting Your Insurance Company
In addition to providing a statement to your insurance company, you will need to prove to your insurance company that the driver who hit you is unknown, and there was physical contact between the other driver’s vehicle and your vehicle. That’s why having photographs, videos, and a police report is so important because these documents will build credibility for you when you approach your insurance company about the accident. Furthermore, if you suffered any injuries in the hit and run accident, make sure you seek medical help immediately. By delaying treatment of your injuries, you are communicating to your insurance company that your injuries were not serious, and that’s why you didn’t see the need to seek medical help immediately.
Arbitration
There are times when you might not be able to obtain the evidence you need to prove your case to your insurance company, and when police enforcement is unable to find the driver who hit you despite all the evidence available. Also, in most cases, even your own insurance company will try to minimize your injuries and damages to pay you as little as possible. In such instances, arbitration with your insurance company is sometimes necessary. Arbitration is an informal legal proceeding, during which you can present your case, and the insurance company has the opportunity to present its case. The hearing is held in front of an arbitrator, who is typically a retired judge or an experienced lawyer. At the end of the hearing, the arbitrator will make a decision and hopefully award you damages, which is binding on both you and the insurance company.
Contact a Marin County Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a hit and run car accident in Marin County or San Francisco, contact the experienced car accident attorneys at The Wakeford Law Firm today to learn more about your rights and remedies. Our attorneys have represented numerous victims of hit and run accidents and are passionate about defending victims’ rights. Give us a call at 415-569-7495 today to schedule your consultation.
