Hit and Run Accidents

If you've been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you already know how it feels to be hit and then left behind in the middle of a road or by the side of a highway. Perhaps you were left unconscious or just conscious enough to be deeply upset by your injuries and your inability to seek aid. Our firm stands ready to help you since we've been successfully representing Californians injured in hit-and-run accidents for many years.

The local media have kept Sacramento residents regularly aware of this danger. During the past two years, twenty-five hit-and-run car accidents have taken place in our city. (By visiting the following link, you can learn which parts of the city put drivers and pedestrians at their greatest risk for being hurt in these types of accidents:)As the interactive map shows, the downtown Sacramento area is one of the most likely venues for hit-and-run accidents.

Like you, we believe that few everyday crimes are as offensive as hit-and-run auto accidents. No driver has the right to hit another human being and continue on without stopping to render aid to the injured party. People who commit these crimes and later claim they were too drunk or otherwise disoriented to know that they hit a human being should never have been behind the wheel of a car in the first place.

Permanent, Serious Injuries May Develop

Head injuries, as well as extensive body injuries, are frequently sustained in hit-and-run accidents. In fact, many victims never live to prosecute their claims; family members are often forced to bring wrongful death actions on behalf of the deceased parties. Broken bones may heal quickly but brain damage can grossly limit your lifelong goals and activities. Since a number of brain injuries may not produce symptoms for an extended period of time, it's important for you to have a highly qualified law firm like ours working on your behalf. We know how to seek the maximum amount of financial compensation you'll need to cover all of your past, present and future medical needs.

A Sadly Typical 2009 California Hit-and-Run Case

Many Californians have already heard about the 2009 hit-and-run case involving two teenage USC college students. A young woman was killed in the accident and a young man was critically injured. It's alleged that the driver's husband even tried to help his wife get away with this offense.

No one deserves to have their life cut short in this manner. We stand ready to help you and your loved ones who have suffered or perished as the result of this type of tragedy.

Fortunately, our laws are beginning to crack down harder on those who injure others in hit-and-run accidents. The following list notes some of the ways we now punish those who cause such tragedies and fail to stop and render assistance.

Penalties for Hit-and-Run Drivers

A driver found guilty of a hit-and-run offense:

• May have a court suspend their licenses for up to six months;
• May have their driving limited to work-related activities for six months;
• May have their vehicles impounded for 48-hour investigations (See California Vehicle Code Section 22655);
• May receive felony convictions if the accidents resulted in injuries or death, as defined under California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a);
• May be found guilty in a personal injury lawsuit brought by us on your behalf. You deserve to be fully compensated for all of your injuries - including all of your reasonably foreseeable future ones.

If You Ever Hit Someone or Cause Property Damage With Your Vehicle

• Pull over at the first safe place you can find near the accident site. If there's a chance you have received (or caused) physical injuries, call 9-1-1  immediately;
• If you have only caused property damage, pull over, stop your car and write down your contact information for the property owner and securely attach it to their car or other property. (If someone witnessed the accident, you may want to write down their contact information for your own insurance company. For example, if you hit a car that was parked far away from the curb or in another questionable manner, this may be important to your insurance agent.). If you have any type of camera with you, take pictures of your car and the one you hit to protect you from later, unjustified claims. As soon as possible, contact the nearest law enforcement office and report the incident.