What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Los Angeles

Yes — if you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. California Insurance Code § 11580.2 requires insurers to offer UM coverage on all auto policies. If you have it, you can file a UM claim against your own carrier for the unidentified driver's liability. The process is similar to any other UM claim and requires a police report as a condition of coverage.

Your options are more limited, but not zero. If the hit-and-run driver is later identified (through surveillance, witnesses, or law enforcement investigation), you can pursue their liability insurance directly. You may also have a claim under your own collision coverage for vehicle damage. Without UM coverage, you cannot recover from your own insurer for bodily injury caused by an unidentified driver — this is one reason LA attorneys strongly recommend carrying UM/UIM.

Yes. California Vehicle Code § 20008 requires any party to an injury accident to report it to the California Highway Patrol or local police within 24 hours. For hit-and-run cases, your insurer will also require a police report as a condition of processing your UM claim. File immediately — do not wait to see how your injuries develop.

The legal statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is 2 years under CCP § 335.1. However, your insurance policy likely has shorter internal notice requirements — many California policies require you to notify your carrier 'promptly' or within 30–60 days. Failure to give timely notice can result in a coverage denial. Notify your insurer and consult an attorney immediately after the crash.

Write down or photograph: the fleeing vehicle's make, model, color, and any partial license plate; the direction of travel; any visible distinguishing features (damage, bumper stickers, roof rack). Get contact information from every witness. Check for dashcam footage on nearby vehicles and note the location of any business or traffic surveillance cameras. Call 911 before you move your vehicle.

In California, your insurer generally cannot raise your rates for filing a UM claim when you were not at fault. California Insurance Code § 1861.02 limits insurers from using UM claims against you when you are the victim of an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Consult your attorney and read your policy — your specific policy terms matter.

Most straightforward UM claims in California resolve within 4–12 months when liability is clear and injuries are documented. If your insurer disputes liability, causation, or the value of your injuries — which happens frequently in UM claims — the process can extend to 18–36 months or require binding arbitration under California Insurance Code § 11580.2. An experienced LA attorney can accelerate the timeline by presenting a complete demand early.

Partial information is still valuable. Report everything you remember: make, model, color, approximate year, any distinguishing features (damage, decals, roof rack), and direction of travel. Law enforcement can cross-reference partial plates against registered vehicles matching the description. Nearby businesses and traffic cameras may have caught the vehicle — your attorney can issue preservation letters to secure that footage before it overwrites, typically within 7–14 days.