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495+A hit-and-run car accident is jarring. One moment you’re driving through Riverside, and the next, another vehicle slams into you and takes off. You’re shaken, possibly hurt, and the person responsible is gone. It’s a frightening situation, and it’s natural to feel as though you have no options, but you do.
Knowing what to do after a hit and run can protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and put you in the strongest possible position to recover compensation. Here, our Riverside car accident lawyers provide a step-by-step guide to help you through the moments, hours, and days after a hit-and-run accident in Riverside.
Step 1: Stay at the Scene and Call 911
While your first instinct might be to chase after the other driver, following a fleeing driver puts you and others at risk and could complicate your case.
Instead, pull over to a safe spot and call 911 immediately. When speaking with the dispatcher, share everything you remember about the other vehicle: the color, make, model, license plate number (even a partial one helps), and the direction it was heading. The sooner law enforcement begins looking, the better the chances of identifying the driver.
If anyone was injured, let the dispatcher know so paramedics can respond.
Step 2: Document Everything You Can
Evidence disappears fast. The more you can gather at the scene, the stronger your case will be later.
Photos, Witness Information, and Dashcam Footage
Use your phone to take photos and videos of:
- Damage to your vehicle from every angle
- The surrounding intersection, road conditions, and traffic signals
- Any debris left behind by the other vehicle, such as broken glass, paint chips, or bumper fragments
- Skid marks or tire tracks on the road
- Your visible injuries
If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number. Witness statements can be incredibly valuable, especially when the other driver isn’t identified right away.
If you have a dashcam, don’t touch the footage. Save it and make a backup copy as soon as possible. If nearby businesses have security cameras pointed at the road, make a note of them. Your attorney or the police may be able to obtain that footage later.
Step 3: File a Police Report
In California, you’re required to report any accident involving injury or significant property damage to the police. In a hit-and-run case, this step is especially important because the police report creates an official record of the incident.
When officers arrive, give them every detail you can recall about the other vehicle and driver. Be honest about what you remember and what you don’t. If you only caught a few digits of the license plate, that’s still worth reporting.
You’ll also want to obtain the report number. Your insurance company will need it, and your attorney will use it when building your case.
Step 4: Seek Medical Attention (Even if You Feel Fine)
Adrenaline masks pain. Many individuals walk away from a hit and run feeling fine, only to develop serious symptoms hours or days later. Whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, and even concussions can take time to appear.
See a doctor the same day if possible. Go to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic and let them know you were in a car accident. This does two important things: it protects your health and creates medical documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
Insurance companies will look for any gap in treatment and use it against you. If you wait a week to see a doctor, they’ll argue your injuries aren’t that serious. Don’t give them that opportunity.
Call our Riverside office at 888-341-3071 for a free consultation. If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run, we can help you understand your options.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the hit and run to your insurance company as soon as possible. Stick to the basic facts: when and where the accident happened, that the other driver fled, and that you’ve filed a police report.
Avoid giving a recorded statement, speculating about your injuries, or accepting any settlement offer without talking to an attorney first. Even your own insurance company has financial incentives to minimize what they pay you.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Applies to Hit and Run Cases in California
In California, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can apply to hit-and-run accidents, even though the other driver technically isn’t “uninsured.” Under California law, a hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified is treated the same as an uninsured driver.
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage (and California requires insurers to offer it), you can file a UM claim with your own insurance company to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
There’s one important condition: for a UM claim involving a hit and run, you typically need to have reported the accident to the police within 24 hours. This is another reason filing that police report immediately matters so much.
Don’t assume your insurance company will walk you through this process fairly. They’re still looking to pay as little as possible. Having an attorney on your side ensures your own policy does not shortchange you.
Can You Pursue a Claim If the Other Driver Is Never Found?
Yes. Many people assume that if the police never identify the hit-and-run driver, there’s nothing they can do. That’s not true.
As we covered above, your uninsured motorist coverage exists for exactly this situation. You can pursue a claim through your own policy to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
And if the other driver is eventually identified, whether through surveillance footage, license plate databases, or witness tips, you can also pursue a claim against their insurer. This is where thorough documentation from the scene becomes critical. The evidence you gathered in those first few minutes could be the key to identifying the driver weeks or months later.
The JLF Firm handles hit-and-run cases throughout Riverside and Southern California. Call our Riverside office at 888-341-3071 for a free case evaluation. You don’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
California’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Miss that deadline, and you’ll likely lose your right to pursue compensation entirely.
Two years might sound like plenty of time, but it goes by fast. Between medical treatment, recovery, and dealing with insurance companies, months pass quickly. The sooner you talk to an attorney, the better. Evidence is freshest, witnesses’ memories are clearest, and your attorney has more time to build a strong case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accidents in Riverside
What if I Only Got a Partial License Plate Number?
A partial plate can still be valuable. Law enforcement can cross-reference partial plates with vehicle descriptions to narrow down suspects. Share everything you remember, no matter how incomplete it seems.
What if I Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
If you don’t carry UM coverage, your options are more limited. You may still be able to recover through your collision coverage (if you have it) or through a claim against the other driver if they’re eventually found. An attorney can review your policy and help you understand what’s available.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer for a Hit-and-Run Case?
The JLF Firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means no fee unless we win. Your consultation is completely free, and you don’t pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for you.
Talk to a Riverside Car Accident Attorney About Your Hit and Run Case
A hit and run can leave you feeling helpless, but you’re not without options. Whether the other driver is identified or not, there are paths to compensation, and The JLF Firm can help you navigate them.
Founded by Jeff Fayngor, our full-service team of attorneys and legal professionals handles hit-and-run cases from start to finish. We know how insurance companies operate, and we hold them accountable when they try to undervalue your claim. When you’ve been injured, you need a pro.
Contact our Riverside office at 888-341-3071 to schedule your free consultation today. With additional offices in Pomona, San Bernardino, El Monte, and Downey, we’re here to serve clients throughout Southern California.
