Hit-and-run accidents are the most traumatic and legally complex accidents you can encounter in California. If you are a victim of a hit-and-run, you may endure significant emotional and physical trauma. The negligent driver’s actions would have caused you to lose so much, including your quality of life.
However, the good news is that under California personal injury law, you can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. “Hit-and-run cases are legally complex and may require professional help to navigate, especially in a place like California,” says car accident attorney Rusty Levin from Levin & Nalbandyan LLP.
This article discusses the many challenges that come with hit-and-run accidents and how a California attorney can help you.
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Hit-and-run Cases: What Are Possible Legal Challenges and How Can They Be Addressed?
While every accident case comes with its complexities, hit-and-run cases are particularly challenging to resolve. That is mostly because there is no driver – “hit and run” means the driver fled from the accident scene. Therefore, even though California’s legal system is designed to keep such an individual accountable, proving guilt is harder when there is no driver.
Surprisingly, there is not much law enforcement officers can do to find the culprit either. It is often difficult to track down the culprit, and they almost always never do. This difficulty in tracking down the culprit of a hit-and-run by law enforcement complicates the process even more.
However, a car accident lawyer can help you overcome these legal challenges with their understanding of California’s traffic laws. Even with the at-fault driver unknown, the attorney knows enough about traffic laws to help you deal with the case’s complications. Moreover, they have seen and solved many cases like this and, as such, can help prepare and guide victims through the process.
How a Lawyer Can Help In Minimizing the Complications of a Hit-and-run Case
From helping you understand the intricate details of your case to making the hurdle lighter, your attorney’s role is significant. When it comes to hit-and-run cases especially, the role of a car accident attorney cannot be overemphasized. Below are the ways a California attorney can help minimize the complications that come with a hit-and-run accident case:
They gather evidence
Gathering evidence is critical for a successful case, and it’s one of the primary responsibilities of a car accident attorney. In hit-and-run cases, the pieces of evidence are all over the place, including surveillance cameras, vehicle numbers, and nearby witnesses. No detail in the accident is insignificant or too small; even the smallest piece of evidence can provide a significant lead.
Moreover, a good car accident attorney knows exactly where to look to get and secure such evidence. That often includes working with investigators to uncover what really happened on the scene of the accident. Also, they may talk with businesses near the accident scene to get their footage, which likely captured the driver’s car speeding off.
They can manage insurance claims
Apart from gathering evidence, your attorney can handle negotiations with insurance companies, which is not as simple as it sounds. When no driver takes responsibility for the accident, hit-and-run accident victims often do not know their rights and options. Insurance companies can take advantage of this ignorance and devise different strategies to downplay or reduce the claim amount.
Meanwhile, considering how complex insurance policies are, it would be hard to receive the deserved compensation without legal guidance. Your California car accident attorney can talk with insurance companies on your behalf and get you a fair settlement.
Conclusion: Protecting Your Legal Rights
Understanding your legal rights in a hit-and-run accident case is important to avoid being ripped off by insurance companies. Furthermore, to ensure your rights are well protected, you must follow the right legal procedures as outlined by California laws.
With a car accident attorney, you will not have to worry about the correct filing of the required documents. Your attorney will ensure that all necessary documents are filed within legal deadlines and will guide you in making informed decisions throughout the process.
