Injury guide
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in California
When the other driver leaves the scene, the steps you take in the first hours can decide whether a claim succeeds. Here is the order that protects you.
Call the police immediately
A prompt report starts the search for the driver and creates the official record your insurance claim depends on. Give the dispatcher every detail you can: direction of travel, vehicle description, any partial plate.
Look for cameras and witnesses
Nearby businesses, homes with doorbell cameras, and other drivers may have seen the crash or captured it. Footage is often erased within days, so note locations quickly and share them with the police, and your lawyer.
Get medical care and document everything
See a doctor even if you feel mostly fine. Treatment records connect your injuries to the crash, and gaps in care give insurers room to argue. Keep every bill, receipt, and photo.
Review your own insurance
Your uninsured motorist coverage often applies to hit-and-run claims, it exists for exactly this situation. Reporting obligations and deadlines apply, so review the policy before giving any recorded statement.
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case turns on its own facts. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.