All traffic accidents are jarring, but a hit-and-run collision may be especially terrifying. There’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do after being involved in a hit-and-run. The order of operations may be unclear.
It’s crucial to notify the police as soon as possible following a hit-and-run. Under some conditions, you may additionally need to inform the California Department of Motor Vehicles and your insurance provider.
The stress of a hit-and-run occurrence may be lessened if the victim knows how long they have to file a complaint and what they are required by law to say about what happened. Our car accident lawyers at Demas Law Group are here to assist you with your automobile accident case. We’re here to make sure you know what to do after a hit-and-run to defend your right to submit a claim for financial recovery as well as to make sure you know what your rights are.
The aftermath of a hit-and-run may be divided into two time periods: just after it happens and the days and weeks that follow. The two most critical things to do are to keep in close communication with your insurance company and the authorities and to acquire as much information as possible.
If your vehicle has been struck and the offending vehicle has fled the scene, you should get everyone out of the vehicle and to safety as soon as possible. Then dial 911 to have the police come and take a report and help anybody who needs medical assistance.
If you can provide the cops with further information, that would help. Take careful notes, focusing on the following areas:
Even if the other motorist has already left the scene, you should still try to gather whatever evidence you can. Check for paint scrapes or broken pieces of the other car’s body as signs that their vehicle was involved. If you need additional information or confirmation that the other motorist ran away, you could talk to any close witnesses. Photograph both your vehicle and the location of the collision.
The aftermath of an accident might be less stressful if the drivers involved are familiar with California’s accident reporting rules. The following are the most important laws in California pertaining to accident reporting:
Section 20008 of the California Civil Code is the state’s major reporting legislation. Reporting a collision to the California Highway Patrol or local authorities within 24 hours is mandatory if injuries or fatalities occur. In the event that police are sent to the scene, they will complete the report for you.
In accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 20010, if the driver is incapacitated and unable to report an accident, another passenger must do it on their behalf.
According to CVC 16000, you have ten days to file a report with the DMV after an accident that causes $1,000 in damages or more, results in injury, or results in death.
If you were driving a corporate vehicle and were involved in an accident, you have five days from the date of the accident to report it under CVC 16002.
Likewise, before reporting a hit-and-run to your insurance provider, you should familiarize yourself with their reporting procedures. California law does not mandate that you notify your insurance provider of the incident, but your policy may. Knowing the details of your insurance policy can help you decide who to notify after an accident.
You may be wondering, now that you know when to report a hit-and-run and how much time you have to do so, how to actually submit a complaint with the police or DMV. If you dial 911 and someone arrives to help you, they will also take care of filing the report. In the event that help does not come, you may file a complaint with the California Highway Patrol or the local police.
You must also notify the DMV if the collision caused more than $1,000 in damages. Fill out the form on the DMV’s website to do this on your own. The other option is to notify your insurance provider first; they may then notify the DMV on your behalf.
It is always in your best interest to verify that the details of your accident report are accurate. Do not assume that this has already been done. Ask for an email confirmation from your insurance carrier if they say they notified the DMV on your behalf.
We at the Demas Law Firm are able to help you figure out how to proceed with your hit-and-run claim. You won’t have to deal with the insurance company alone since we collaborate with them as well. We’ll advocate on your behalf to make sure your report gets to everyone who needs it in a timely manner and includes all relevant information. Free consultations with a skilled car accident lawyer are available by calling 916 764-3059 or by filling out our online form.
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