Victim of a Hit and Run Sacramento?
Almost no one deliberately sets out to cause an automobile accident. But accidents happen, and when someone believes they’ve caused that accident, even a normally law-abiding citizen may flee the scene rather than be held accountable.
Unfortunately, that only compounds the problem. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a serious criminal offense and conviction can result in substantial criminal and civil penalties.
If you or a loved one have been injured by someone who fled the scene of the accident, your primary concern is surviving the accident. You depend on law enforcement to catch the person who fled the scene. But the story doesn’t end there. Even if the person is caught, they might not have insurance. If they aren’t caught, or they don’t have insurance, things can get complicated in a hurry. Having an attorney, like the experienced Sacramento car accident attorneys at Demas Law Group, P.C., on your team can help explain your legal rights and options.
Hit and Run Accidents in Sacramento
In 2010, 147 people were killed by hit-and-run drivers in California and 19,000 people were injured. Anyone arrested for leaving the scene of an accident is charged with a misdemeanor at the very least; in some cases, the charges may rise to the felony level. Despite these stiff penalties, hit-and-run accidents have increased by 20 percent nationally during the past decade.
Most hit-and-run accidents take place at night, which makes finding the driver who is responsible much more difficult. Even when police are able to find the car, they often are unable to locate the driver.
Finding the driver may not be easy, but there are steps you can take immediately after the accident that can help put the odds more in your favor. Although it may be difficult if you’ve been seriously injured, try to write down all the details you can remember about the accident, including the description of the vehicle and the driver, the license plate number, and the names of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. If you are too injured, ask a family member or friend to document the accident details, even if it means returning to the scene the next day. Police departments are stretched thin, and any information you can provide them may help locate the driver.
If the driver who hit you is found, you can pursue a Sacramento personal injury claim against him or her to recover compensation for your damages. If the driver is not found OR if the driver is found but has no insurance, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your damages through your own uninsured motorist policy (if you have one). However, even if you do have uninsured motorist coverage, your problems may not end there. Insurance companies are in business to make money, and they will balk at paying full compensation for your injuries. Obtaining professional legal representation is essential in order to receive full compensation.
No matter what your situation is, if you’ve been injured by a hit-and-run driver, it is to your advantage to contact an experienced hit-and-run attorney at Demas Law Group, P.C., in Sacramento.
Other Questions? Click for our Frequently Asked Car Accident Questions Library
Contact a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Sacramento Now For Help After Your Accident
If you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident in Sacramento, the law is on your side. Demas Law Group, P.C., has helped clients who have been injured by hit-and-run drivers for more than 20 years. If you have been severely injured in such an accident, or have unfortunately lost a loved one, we understand the challenges you’re facing. The strength or your case often depends on finding the driver, and we may be able to help you do that.
If the driver can be found and they are insured, we’ll try our best to get full and fair compensation for your damages. If the driver cannot be found and you have an uninsured driver policy, we can help negotiate a fair settlement with your insurance company.
Every case is different and we can’t predict the results of your case in advance. But we give our full focus to each and every client and answer every question they may have.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Sacramento, we urge you to contact us soon as possible. You can speak to one of our experienced personal injury attorneys free of charge or obligation, by telephone or a face-to-face to face meeting. Demas Law Group, P.C., attorneys are hired on a contingency basis, which means you will not be billed for attorney fees and court costs until a settlement or a winning verdict is reached. If a settlement or winning verdict is not reached, there are no fees or court costs.
This literature may be considered attorney advertising or an offer of professional services, according to rule 1-400 Rules of Professional Conduct by the State Bar of California. The information does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the outcome of your potential legal matter.
Q1. I witnessed a hit-and-run accident. What should I do?
California law requires anyone involved in an automobile accident to stop and exchange driver’s license and insurance information, regardless of who caused the accident. If someone is injured in the accident, the other driver is obligated to provide assistance until medical help arrives. If you witness a driver fail to fulfill these requirements, the driver may be guilty of hit-and-run driving, and you should immediately report it to the police. If you aren’t personally involved in the accident, you can still be of tremendous help. Witnesses are vitally important in hit-and-run accidents, and you may have details of the crime that will help catch the culprit. To help encourage citizens to report hit-and-run accidents, Demas Law Group, P.C., participates in the Hit-and-Run Reward Program sponsored by California attorneys. This program provides a reward of up to $1000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of a hit-and-run driver. You’ll find a link to the Hit-and-Run Reward Program in the Resources section below.
Q2. I was hit by a vehicle that fled the scene. What should I do?
First of all, if you were injured in the accident, seek medical treatment immediately, even if you believe the injury is minor. Although it may be difficult depending on the circumstances, try to get the car’s license plate number and a description of the car and the driver. Witnesses are crucial in this regard, so write down the name and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. If the police didn’t come to the accident scene, report the accident within 24 hours. You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Don’t attempt to fix any damage to your vehicle or property until it has been seen by an investigator.
Q3. My insurance company is offering a settlement under my uninsured motorist coverage. Do I still need an attorney?
If the insurance company for your uninsured motorist policy is offering a settlement, you still need an attorney. While the representative from your insurance company may seem to be looking out for your best interest, in reality, the only thing that counts is the insurance company’s bottom line. They don’t want you to get the best care and compensation available – they want you to go away. The skilled personal injury attorneys at Demas Law Group, P.C., are familiar with all aspects of California hit-and-run claims and know how to pursue the maximum recovery for your hit-and-run automobile accident claim.
Q4. I was injured by a hit-and-run driver and don’t have uninsured motorist coverage. Can I still be compensated for my damages?
Unfortunately, the answer may be no, unless you can find the driver and they have insurance coverage, either through a personal policy or, if they were driving for a company, the employer’s policy. Demas Law Group, P.C., advises all motorists to purchase uninsured motorist coverage to ensure you’ll receive compensation in a hit-and-run or uninsured motorist accident.
Q5. What will it cost me to hire a Demas Law Group, P.C., attorney?
At Demas Law Group, P.C., our attorneys are hired on a contingency fee, meaning you will not pay any legal costs until there is a settlement or a winning verdict at trial. Typically, after your settlement or verdict, your attorney will receive a percentage fee of the total case recovery, in addition to case costs. If there is no settlement or winning verdict, you won’t be charged any legal costs.
