A Modesto hit and run lawyer helps you pursue compensation after a driver hits you, your vehicle, or your bicycle and leaves the scene without stopping. Even when the driver is never identified, you may still have options for recovering medical costs, lost income, and other losses. The hours after a crash can feel overwhelming, especially when you are hurt, your car is damaged, and no one has taken responsibility.
Our team at Setareh Law helps injured people in Modesto and across California move forward after serious collisions. Our Modesto car accident lawyers can review what happened, explain your options in plain language, and start building your claim while you focus on recovery.
What Counts as a Hit and Run in California?
California law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, share their contact and insurance information, and help anyone who is hurt. Vehicle Code section 20001 applies when a crash injures or kills someone, and the driver must remain at the scene. Section 20002 covers property damage and requires the driver to find the owner or leave a note with contact information. A driver who leaves without doing these things may face a hit and run charge.
The California Highway Patrol’s 2020 annual collision report counted 143,476 injury crashes statewide and tracks hit and run crashes and victims in a dedicated table. Hit and run crashes may involve cars, motorcycles, bicyclists, or pedestrians, and the injuries can be serious. If you were riding when it happened, our Modesto bicycle accident lawyers can review your situation as well.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Crash
The steps you take after the crash can strengthen a future claim. If you are able, these actions may help protect your health and your case:
- Call 911 and get medical care right away, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the crash to the police so an official report exists.
- Note details about the other vehicle, such as color, make, partial plate, and direction of travel.
- Photograph the scene, your injuries, and any vehicle damage.
- Collect witness contact details and ask nearby businesses about security video.
A police report and medical records create a paper trail from day one. Avoid posting about the crash on social media, and speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company.
How We Pursue Compensation After a Hit and Run
Every hit and run case is different, and the path forward often depends on whether the driver can be found.
Identifying the Driver
Police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and vehicle debris can help identify the driver who left. We work to gather and preserve this evidence quickly, because video may be overwritten and memories fade. When the driver is identified, we may be able to pursue a claim against that driver and their insurance policy.
Using Uninsured Motorist Coverage
When the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist coverage may help cover your losses, depending on your policy. These policies often include reporting requirements, so notifying the police and your insurer promptly is important. We can handle communication with the insurance company while you focus on recovery.
Recovering for Your Losses
A claim may include medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering. Our team documents each category of loss so your claim reflects the full picture of how the crash affected you.
Common Injuries in Hit and Run Crashes
Hit and run crashes can leave victims with injuries that need ongoing care. Pedestrians and bicyclists may suffer broken bones, head injuries, or spinal damage, while drivers and passengers may experience neck and back injuries, concussions, or cuts from broken glass.
Some symptoms, including those from whiplash injuries, may not appear for days after the crash. Seeing a doctor promptly creates a record connecting your injuries to the collision and helps you get the care you need.
Why Timing Matters in a Modesto Hit and Run Case
California generally gives you two years from the date of a crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, but some situations carry shorter deadlines. For example, claims involving a government vehicle may require written notice within six months. Because deadlines vary, speaking with a lawyer early helps protect your options.
Early action also helps with evidence. Traffic cameras, business footage, and witness memories lose value as time passes. Acting quickly gives our team a better chance to locate and preserve what remains. Our Modesto office can review what happened and explain which deadlines may apply to you.
Talk With a Modesto Hit and Run Lawyer at Setareh Law
Setareh Law is a personal injury law firm committed to helping accident victims throughout California. Our team has 60 years of combined experience serving injured individuals, and we meet with every client one-on-one so you receive personal attention from a seasoned attorney.
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay a fee if we get you results. With seven office locations, home visits offered, and a team available around the clock, we meet you where you are. If a driver left you hurt and without answers in Modesto, schedule your free consultation with Setareh Law today.
