A hit-and-run can leave you with more uncertainty rather than answers. When you are trying to figure out who is responsible or how to pay for the damage, knowing your options is an important step so you can move forward more confidently. A San Diego car accident lawyer is helpful during this uncertain time.
The First Thing to Do When Your Parked Car Was Involved in a Hit-and-Run
Walking to your parked car and noticing it has been hit, and worse yet, that the person fled the scene, is frustrating.
How are you going to deal with the damage?
It is important to know you can still report the accident. You should try and stay calm and assess all damage. Check and see if anyone left a note.
If there is no note, take photos of all the damage, the exact position your car is in, and all of the surrounding area. All of these details are important when you submit a claim to your insurance and for your police report.
How Would You Get Compensation if the Person Cannot Be Found?
If the person who hit your car cannot be found, you may still have options to recoup the costs of the damage. You should start by checking your insurance policy. If you have collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage, they can often pay for repairs. If you do not have either of those types of coverage, you can explore other options.
You could see if any nearby houses or businesses have security cameras that may have picked up the accident. All you need to do is recover the license plate of the car that hit you so that the police can quickly locate them. Keep in mind that you should let the police officer go to the house or business that has the security camera footage. You should never attempt this on your own.
Do California Police Investigate Minor Hit-and-Runs?
The police do investigate hit-and-run accidents in California. However, the level of attention they provide will depend on each situation. If severe damage or significant injuries occur, they may be more likely to go further into the investigation. If a license plate number can be obtained, this can certainly help the process. However, a minor accident without damage and injuries may not have the same type of investigation process. However, either way, when you file a report, it creates an official record, will help with your insurance claims, and can even lead to the driver being found later.
Don’t Let a Hit-and-Run Hold You Back
It can be stressful to deal with a hit-and-run. With the right legal support on your side, you can figure out what you should do to best handle the situation. It is a complicated process when the other person is nowhere to be found. However, the right California car accident attorney and the police have their own methods to potentially find the person at fault. Reach out to The Law Office of Jared J. Drucker to set up your consultation.