What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in California

Maria heard the crunch of metal against her Honda Civic's rear bumper as she waited at a red light on Sunset Boulevard. Before she could unbuckle her seatbelt, the silver SUV that struck her accelerated through the intersection and disappeared into evening traffic. No license plate. No driver description. Just a damaged vehicle and the sinking realization that she was alone with the consequences. Within minutes, her mind raced through questions she had never considered: Should she chase the driver? What if her neck pain gets worse? Will her rates go up even though this was not her fault?

"I was stopped at a red light when someone rear-ended me and took off. I didn't even have time to get my phone out before they were gone. Now I'm stuck with a $3,200 repair bill and my deductible," shared one Orange County driver on a car accident support forum.

Hit-and-run accidents transform ordinary commutes into overwhelming crises. The fleeing driver leaves behind not just property damage, but a web of legal, financial, and medical complexities that victims must handle alone. In California, where a hit-and-run occurs every 18 minutes in Los Angeles alone, knowing the right steps to take in those first critical moments can mean the difference between full recovery and devastating out-of-pocket losses.

California's Hit-and-Run Crisis

More than 19,000 people suffer injuries in California hit-and-run accidents each year. That translates to 52 victims every single day, or more than two people every hour. California holds the disturbing distinction of having the worst deadly hit-and-run rate in the nation, with 10.5% of fatal crashes involving a fleeing driver compared to the national average of 6.3%.

Los Angeles County leads the state with 11,120 crashes recorded in 2024. The city's dense population, sprawling urban environment, and notorious traffic congestion create conditions where approximately 50% of all reported traffic accidents fall into the hit-and-run category. Between 2012 and 2021, California recorded 3,348 fatal hit-and-run accidents, with 77.3% occurring at night and 62.8% involving pedestrians.

The statistics reveal troubling patterns. Hit-and-run rates spike above 10% from 6 PM until 6 AM, peaking at 17% between 9 PM and 10 PM. Nearly 150 Californians die in hit-and-run crashes annually, with more than 80 of these fatalities resulting from pedestrian accidents. Only about 20% of serious felony hit-and-run cases get solved, leaving thousands of victims without justice or accountability.

Understanding California's Hit-and-Run Laws

California Vehicle Code sections 20001 and 20002 define the legal requirements for drivers involved in accidents. Any driver who causes property damage must stop at the nearest safe location and provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number to the affected party. If the property owner is absent, the driver must leave a visible note with this information and contact local police.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Classification

Accidents involving only property damage constitute misdemeanor hit-and-run under Vehicle Code 20002. If someone suffers injury or death, the offense becomes a felony under Vehicle Code 20001. This classification applies regardless of who caused the accident or the severity of damage. Even minor fender-benders require drivers to stop and exchange information. Leaving the scene automatically triggers criminal liability.

Misdemeanor convictions carry up to six months in county jail, fines reaching $1,000, and two points on the driver's DMV record. Felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death brings 90 days to four years in state prison, fines up to $10,000, and mandatory victim restitution. The driver who flees faces these penalties even if they were not at fault for the collision itself.

Immediate Actions at the Scene

The minutes following a hit-and-run determine whether victims can recover their losses or face financial devastation. Time-sensitive evidence disappears quickly, making immediate action critical.

Document Everything Possible

If the fleeing vehicle remains visible, note every detail: make, model, color, license plate (even partial numbers), unique markings like bumper stickers or damage, and the direction of travel. Use your phone to photograph or video record the vehicle if safely possible. These details help police locate the driver and establish your claim.

Security camera footage presents the biggest time-sensitive challenge. Many businesses and traffic cameras automatically overwrite footage within 24 to 72 hours. Victims who wait even a few days may find crucial evidence permanently deleted. Immediately approach nearby businesses, gas stations, and property owners to request security footage. The first rainfall or street cleaning can wash away physical evidence like paint transfers, glass fragments, and tire marks.

Ensure Safety and Call 911

Move your vehicle to a safe location away from traffic flow if possible. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, are not immediately apparent. Call 911 to report the hit-and-run and request medical assistance if needed. A police report creates official documentation of the incident and starts the investigation process.

Provide law enforcement with all gathered information about the fleeing vehicle and the circumstances. Obtain the responding officer's name and report number. Request copies of the police report once filed. This documentation becomes essential evidence for insurance claims and potential legal action.

Gather Witness Information

Witnesses provide invaluable evidence, especially when the fleeing driver cannot be identified. Collect names, phone numbers, and addresses of anyone who saw the accident. Ask witnesses to provide written statements describing what they observed, including vehicle descriptions and the sequence of events. Their testimony can corroborate your account and help establish fault.

Medical Documentation Matters

Seek medical evaluation even if you feel uninjured. Adrenaline and shock mask pain and symptoms in the immediate aftermath of trauma. Medical records create documented evidence linking your injuries to the accident. This documentation becomes critical when filing insurance claims or pursuing legal action. Delayed medical treatment gives carriers grounds to question whether injuries resulted from the hit-and-run or occurred later.

Navigating California's Reporting Requirements

California law mandates specific reporting obligations for accident victims. Under Vehicle Code 16000, accidents causing injuries or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported to the DMV within 10 days using Form SR-1. Failure to file this report can result in driver's license suspension, creating additional legal problems on top of the accident itself.

The DMV report differs from the police report. Both serve important but separate functions. The police report documents the criminal aspects and aids in locating the fleeing driver. The DMV report satisfies state legal requirements and protects your driving privileges. File both promptly to avoid complications.

Understanding Your Coverage Options

Hit-and-run accidents create unique challenges for recovering damages. Without an identified at-fault driver to pursue, victims must rely on their own coverage or face substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays for vehicle damage regardless of who caused the accident. This optional coverage (required for leased or financed vehicles) applies to hit-and-run situations and typically carries a deductible of $500 to $1,000. Some auto coverage policies include an uninsured motorist deductible waiver. If police later identify the fleeing driver and confirm they lack coverage, the carrier may waive the collision deductible and pay the full claim value.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage provides crucial protection when hit-and-run drivers cannot be identified or lack their own coverage. UM coverage pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other injury-related damages. California law requires carriers to offer this coverage, though drivers can decline it in writing.

California's UM statute includes a critical requirement: the accident must involve physical contact between the hit-and-run vehicle and either the insured vehicle or the insured person. This rule prevents fraudulent "phantom vehicle" claims. Courts strictly enforce this contract requirement. Even when witnesses confirm the other driver's fault, UM benefits generally remain unavailable without documented physical contact.

Property Damage Limitations

California law prevents victims from filing property damage claims under uninsured motorist coverage in hit-and-run situations. Victims must use collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage instead. UMPD provides only $3,500 in coverage and applies only when the at-fault driver is identified. This creates a gap where victims with liability-only policies face full out-of-pocket costs for vehicle repairs.

The Investigation Process

Police investigate hit-and-run cases based on severity and available evidence. Fatal and serious injury cases receive priority investigation with dedicated resources. Property damage cases often receive limited follow-up unless strong leads exist. This reality means victims must conduct their own parallel investigations to maximize recovery chances.

Check online resources like DMV databases that allow partial license plate searches. Social media platforms may contain photos or posts about vehicles matching the description. For serious cases, private investigators access traffic cameras, databases, and specialized resources beyond what individual victims can obtain. The investment in professional investigation often pays off when it leads to identifying the responsible driver.

When Legal Representation Becomes Necessary

Carriers aggressively deny hit-and-run UM claims by arguing lack of physical contact, insufficient documentation, or policy exclusions. They minimize payouts by questioning injury severity, claiming pre-existing conditions, or disputing medical necessity. An experienced attorney calculates full damages, gathers comprehensive documentation, and argues for maximum claim value.

Attorneys also identify alternative recovery routes like third-party liability, surveillance footage from businesses, or even defective roadway conditions that contributed to the crash. Time limits matter critically. UM claims often require prompt notice and have strict arbitration deadlines. Missing these deadlines can permanently destroy your right to compensation.

"After my hit-and-run, I thought I was out of options since they never found the driver. My attorney helped me recover $47,000 through my UM coverage for my injuries and lost wages. I didn't even know that was possible," shared one San Diego victim.

Protecting Your Rights and Recovery

Hit-and-run accidents test victims physically, financially, and emotionally. The physical damage shows in dented fenders and cracked bumpers. The hidden costs appear in sky-high medical bills, missed paychecks, and the emotional toll of not knowing who caused the trauma or whether justice will ever be served. For families grieving the loss of a loved one, the heartbreak compounds with financial uncertainty.

Recovery extends beyond physical healing. Victims juggle confusing claims processes, legal gray areas, and unanswered questions. The fleeing driver's abandonment leaves you managing consequences you did not cause and do not deserve. You can take control by acting decisively in those first critical hours, understanding your coverage, and knowing when professional help becomes necessary.

Document everything immediately. Report to police and DMV within required timeframes. Seek medical evaluation. Review your policy coverage. Gather witness statements. Request security footage before it disappears. These actions protect your ability to recover fully regardless of whether police locate the fleeing driver.

When evaluating your situation after a hit-and-run, review your current coverage to understand protection levels and consider speaking with professionals who can help identify all available recovery options. While collision and uninsured motorist coverage cannot prevent hit-and-run accidents, proper auto insurance can provide financial protection when fleeing drivers leave you managing the aftermath alone. Our team at Farmers Insurance - Young Douglas is here to help you understand California's requirements, and your policy provisions empower you to make informed decisions during one of the most stressful experiences any driver faces.

Sources:

• California Office of Traffic Safety - Crash Rankings and Statistics
• AAA Northeast Magazine - Hit-and-Run Accident Analysis
• ValuePenguin/LendingTree - California Car Accident Data
• NBC Los Angeles - Hit-and-Run Investigation Reports

Disclosure: This article may feature independent professionals and businesses for informational purposes. Farmers Insurance-Young Douglas collaborates with some of the professionals mentioned; however, no payment or compensation is provided for inclusion in this content.