Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Orange County
A Tailored Claim Strategy After a Driver Flees
A collision becomes more complicated when the responsible driver leaves without providing identification or insurance information. The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman helps injured people assess potential insurance and civil claims while keeping the separate criminal-law issues in view.
We handle personal injury matters throughout Orange County involving:
Lead Attorney Bruce Bridgman has handled legal matters for more than 30 years. We develop an action plan around each client’s injuries, available evidence, and objectives.
Call (949) 449-1412 to discuss your hit-and-run accident and the legal options that may apply.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Collision
What happens immediately after the crash can affect your health, the available evidence, and a potential insurance claim. Safety and medical needs come first, followed by prompt reporting and careful recordkeeping.
Important post-collision actions include:
- Reach safety and seek care. Move away from traffic when possible, call emergency services, and obtain medical attention for your injuries.
- Report the collision. California law generally requires reporting an accident involving an unidentified vehicle to police within 24 hours.
- Preserve available evidence. Photograph the scene and vehicle damage, collect witness contact information, note surveillance cameras, and record any details about the fleeing vehicle.
- Maintain complete records. Keep medical documents, expense receipts, missed-work records, and communications concerning the collision.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage for an Unidentified Driver
Uninsured motorist coverage under an applicable auto insurance policy may provide a path to recovery when a hit-and-run driver isn’t identified. Coverage isn’t automatic. The policy terms and collision facts determine what options are available.
For an unidentified vehicle, California coverage rules generally require physical contact between that vehicle and the injured person or the vehicle occupied by that person. This requirement makes the details of how the crash occurred especially important.
A sworn statement to the insurer is also generally due within 30 days. It must report the facts supporting the claim and is separate from the police report required within 24 hours.
Deadlines for Insurance, Civil & Government Claims
Several deadlines may run from the same collision, and satisfying one doesn’t necessarily preserve another type of claim. The applicable rule can depend on whether the driver is identified, which insurance policy applies, and whether a public entity is involved.
Potential time limits include:
- Uninsured motorist claim: California law generally requires action within two years of the accident through a lawsuit against the uninsured or unidentified driver, an agreement with the insurer, or a certified-mail demand for arbitration.
- Injury lawsuit: When the hit-and-run driver is identified, the general deadline to file a lawsuit is two years from the date of injury.
- Government claim: If a public entity or government vehicle is involved, California generally requires presenting a written administrative claim within six months before filing a lawsuit.
Exceptions and case-specific facts can change how a deadline applies. A prompt review can identify which requirements may govern rather than assuming every hit-and-run collision follows the same claim path.
Potential Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Accident
The losses available in an injury claim depend on the evidence, the injuries, and the legally responsible parties.
Damages we evaluate may include:
- Economic damages: Medical bills, hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgery, medication, future medical costs, lost wages, and future lost wages.
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages: Additional damages that may be available in cases involving gross negligence.
Civil Claims & Criminal Hit-and-Run Charges
California Vehicle Code Section 20001 makes it a crime for a driver involved in a collision causing injury or death to fail to stop immediately and fulfill the duties required by law. Whether criminal charges are filed is separate from the injured person’s pursuit of compensation.
A criminal charge addresses an alleged violation of criminal law, while a civil injury claim seeks compensation for the injured person’s losses. Identifying the driver may support a claim against that person, but it doesn’t establish liability, damages, or a particular outcome by itself.
Tailored Hit-and-Run Claim Guidance in Orange County
We provide personalized attention and develop an action plan based on each client’s objectives. Our work can include organizing collision evidence, medical records, insurance communications, and the deadlines that may affect the claim.
We assess whether the facts may support a policy claim, a civil claim against an identified driver, or both. That assessment accounts for physical contact, reporting history, policy terms, injuries, and evidence concerning the driver’s identity.
Bruce Bridgman is familiar with area courts, judges, and attorneys. His prior service as an Orange County district attorney and his experience with the state and federal criminal justice systems also inform our understanding of the criminal-law issues that may accompany an identified-driver hit-and-run case.
Discuss Your Hit-and-Run Claim at No Cost
We offer free consultations for personal injury representation. Use our contact form to tell us what happened and share the circumstances surrounding the collision.
We’ll explain which insurance and civil options may fit your facts and identify any time-sensitive requirements that warrant attention.
Call (949) 449-1412 to request your free hit-and-run accident consultation.