Hit and Run Car Accidents in Rancho Mirage

Hit and run car accidents are infuriating. Not only did someone damage your car—and potentially cause you injury—they also did not have the decency to own up to their mistake and provide their driver’s license and insurance information so that you could receive compensation for your damages.

Anyone involved in a hit and run car accident in Rancho Mirage should get in touch with an experienced car crash lawyer for legal assistance. There are several ways an attorney could help, including by investigating the accident, taking your case to court, or negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company. Of course, the best course of action will depend on the specific circumstances of your case, which is why it is important to consult legal counsel as soon as possible after a wreck.

California Laws Pertaining to Hit and Runs

California Vehicle Code Sections 20001-2 require drivers involved in car accidents to stop and provide their contact and insurance information to the other drivers and property owners. Violation of this law could be a misdemeanor or felony and imply liability in a personal injury case involving a hit-and-run accident.

Additionally, Section 20003 requires drivers to provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured in an accident. This could come into play in a personal injury case involving a hit-and-run, leading to misdemeanor charges for the offending driver. A knowledgeable Rancho Mirage hit and run car accident lawyer could advise on what laws might be relevant in a specific case.

Finding the At-Fault Driver

Identifying the driver is one of the most important tasks in a Rancho Mirage hit-and-run car accident case. A proactive lawyer could assist with this by thoroughly investigating the case. This might involve:

• Consulting with law enforcement
• Conducting interviews with witnesses
• Gathering evidence from nearby surveillance cameras

Without a defendant, options for recovery are limited.

One of these options might be a claim through the injured individual’s own insurance company. A capable attorney could help file the claim and work to ensure the injured party receives the maximum available compensation available under their policy. Insurance companies need to protect their bottom lines and can be difficult to deal with, making the services of a well-practiced lawyer all the more useful for handling them.

Damages Available to Those Involved in Hit and Run Crashes

Damages available to those injured in Rancho Mirage hit and run collisions include but are not limited to:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost wages and earning potential

The exact damages available will depend on the facts of each specific case.

California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning that injured people can recover damages even if they are at fault in an accident. Non-economic damages—for things such as emotional trauma—are capped at $250,000, while there is no cap on economic damages—for things such as medical costs and lost wages.

Contact a Rancho Mirage Hit and Run Car Accident Attorney Today

You deserve proper representation after a hit and run car accident in Rancho Mirage. You have nothing to lose by calling a lawyer at Walter Clark Legal Group for a free consultation. Take the first step toward being made whole again; call now.