Legally Reviewed by Daniel Setareh on October 1, 2026
A hit and run lawyer helps you pursue compensation after a driver strikes you and leaves the scene. Even when the other driver never stops, you may still have legal options, including claims through your own insurance policy. Medical bills, missed paychecks, and vehicle repairs can pile up fast, and having a legal advocate on your side can make the process feel less overwhelming.
Setareh Law helps injured people throughout California, and our Santa Rosa car accident attorneys work with hit and run victims who are unsure where to turn. We investigate what happened, identify every source of recovery, and handle the legal work so you can focus on healing.
⚠ Time-Sensitive: California Law Limits Your Window to File
Injured in Santa Rosa? California’s 2-year statute of limitations begins from the date of your accident. Do not wait to speak with an attorney.
60 years of combined experience. You only pay a fee if we get you results. Home visits available, and we speak Spanish.
California Law on Leaving the Scene of a Crash
California law requires a driver involved in a crash injuring someone to stop, share contact and insurance details, and help the injured person get medical care. A driver who flees breaks these rules, and police may treat the crash as a criminal matter. Fleeing the scene can add criminal penalties for the driver, but those penalties do not pay your medical bills. Your civil claim for compensation is separate, and our attorneys may be able to pursue it while the search for the driver continues.
Hit and run crashes carry serious risks for people outside vehicles. According to the UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, reported 2020 federal crash data showed about 70 percent of hit and run deaths involved a pedestrian or bicyclist. Riders face danger too, and our attorneys handle motorcycle accident and electric scooter accident cases in Santa Rosa.
How Compensation Works When the Driver Is Unknown
Many people assume a claim is impossible without the other driver’s name. In many cases, uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy may help pay for medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver is never found. For example, if a driver clips your car on Highway 101 and speeds away, your own policy may still respond. Our attorneys review your policy, explain your coverage, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
We also work to identify the driver. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, witness statements, and vehicle parts left at the scene may point toward who caused the crash. Our team knows where to look and whom to ask, and we move quickly to preserve evidence before it disappears. Time matters, because video is often erased within days or weeks. Most personal injury claims in California have a deadline, typically two years from the crash, and some cases have shorter deadlines.
What to Do After a Hit and Run in Santa Rosa
The steps you take in the first hours can shape your claim, so keep these three priorities in mind.
Call 911 and Get Medical Care
Your health comes first. Call 911, stay where you are if it is safe, and accept medical attention even when injuries seem minor, because whiplash and concussion symptoms can appear days later. Medical records also create an important link between the crash and your injuries.
Gather Evidence Safely
Write down everything you remember about the vehicle, including color, make, partial plate numbers, and direction of travel. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and the vehicle damage, and collect witnesses’ names. Note nearby businesses with cameras, because footage may be overwritten quickly.
Report the Crash and Call a Lawyer
File a report with the Santa Rosa Police Department or the California Highway Patrol, depending on where the crash happened, and notify your insurance company. A police report is often needed for uninsured motorist claims. Contact our team before giving a recorded statement to any insurer so we can protect your rights.
These steps may strengthen your claim, and our attorneys are ready to help with anything you may miss.
How Setareh Law Helps Hit and Run Victims
We start by listening to what happened and reviewing the evidence, including police reports, medical records, and any available video. Our team may work with accident reconstruction professionals when the facts are disputed, and we gather proof of your losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and the daily impact of your injuries. We then build your claim and negotiate with insurers, and we are prepared to take your case to court when a fair settlement is not offered.
Our attorneys, including Daniel Setareh, meet one-on-one with every client, and we offer home visits when injuries make travel hard. We also serve Spanish-speaking clients through our Santa Rosa office. Every case is handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay a fee if we get results.
Contact Setareh Law About Your Santa Rosa Hit and Run Case
A hit and run can leave you with injuries, bills, and questions, and no one around to answer them. Setareh Law has recovered over $400 million for injured Californians, and our attorneys bring 60 years of combined experience to every case. More than 900 five-star reviews reflect how we put clients first.
With seven office locations and home visits available, we meet you where you are, and we never stop working toward the best possible result for you. To talk through your options and schedule a free consultation, contact our office today. Hurt on a bike in Santa Rosa? Contact our office to schedule your free consultation.
