VANISHED WITHOUT A TRACE — Your Rights After a Hit-and-Run in California
A hit-and-run crash is more than a collision—it’s an act of abandonment
One moment, you're injured and reeling. The next, the at-fault driver is gone, leaving you with medical bills, car repairs, and unanswered questions.
Even when the other driver disappears, your rights don’t. At R23 Law, our California Consumer Protection Attorneys aggressively pursue justice for victims of hit-and-run accidents, ensuring no one escapes accountability—even if they flee the scene.
Hit-and-Runs Are Shockingly Common—and Often Unsolved
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 2,932 fatal hit-and-run crashes in the U.S. in 2022. And only about 10% of all hit-and-run cases are solved.
Despite these grim statistics, California law still entitles you to compensation—even if the driver is never found. At R23 Law, we guide you through the process of filing a claim, securing evidence, and accessing available insurance coverage to pay for your injuries and damages.
Immediate Steps After a Hit-and-Run Crash
You might feel powerless—but the steps you take in the first moments and days after the accident can dramatically impact your claim. R23 Law’s attorneys recommend the following:
File a Police Report
This is your official legal record of the crash and starts the investigative process. If injuries are involved, officers will respond on the scene and take statements. If it’s a property damage-only case, still file a report as soon as possible.
Gather Medical Records
These records document your physical harm and support the damages portion of your claim. They serve as critical proof in uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage claims.
Document the Scene
Take photos and videos of the accident site, including debris, skid marks, lighting, and road conditions. Anything can be evidence—especially if it helps investigators identify the fleeing driver.
Evidence Is the Key—Even Without a Suspect
Even if police can’t identify the driver, your claim can still move forward. R23 Law’s team works closely with investigative professionals to analyze:
Surveillance camera footage (nearby businesses, intersections, dash cams)
Traffic cam data
Witness testimony
Cell tower and GPS data in some cases
Even in complex or unsolved hit-and-runs, the fact that the driver fled can establish clear liability. That often strengthens your position when negotiating with your own insurer under your UM/UIM coverage.
Extenuating Circumstances: The Excuses Hit-and-Run Drivers Use
When hit-and-run drivers are found, they may claim they didn’t realize they caused an accident—or that a medical episode or mechanical issue caused them to flee. These defenses are weak, but insurers will still try to use them to reduce payouts.
Our California injury attorneys at R23 Law know how to counter these defenses and hold negligent parties accountable—especially when insurers try to shift blame to the victim.
Why You Need R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys
We understand the challenges victims face when dealing with an invisible defendant. At R23 Law, we:
Conduct independent investigations when law enforcement resources are limited
File insurance claims against your UM/UIM policy for full available benefits
Fight denials and delays from reluctant insurance carriers
Pursue civil lawsuits if and when the driver is identified
Our attorneys combine relentless investigation with a consumer-protection-driven legal strategy. We don’t stop at the obvious path—we follow every lead until the case is resolved and justice is served.
Don’t Let Them Disappear Without Paying What They Owe
The hit-and-run driver may be gone—but you’re not alone. At R23 Law, we represent hit-and-run victims across California with the tenacity and legal precision it takes to secure rightful compensation, even when the odds feel stacked against you.
Speak to one of our California Consumer Protection Attorneys today. You don’t pay us unless we win. Let’s hold negligent drivers—and insurers—accountable for the damage they leave behind.
