A hit-and-run leaves you in a frustrating, isolating position. You have injuries, medical bills, and a damaged vehicle—but the person responsible has vanished. Even in this overwhelming situation, you have options.

An experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer can help you identify the driver when possible, access insurance coverage if the driver is never found, and pursue the compensation you need to recover. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped hit-and-run victims across Northern California and the Central Valley do exactly that for over 45 years.

If a driver hit you and fled anywhere in California, contact us today for a free consultation.

What Is a Hit-and-Run Under California Law?

A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping, providing their information, or helping anyone who was injured. Under California law, every driver involved must stop, exchange information, and render reasonable aid—no matter who caused it.

A Hit-and-Run Is a Crime in California

Leaving the scene without meeting those duties is a criminal act, and the charge depends on what happened in the crash:

  • Property Damage Only: Under Vehicle Code 20002, fleeing a crash that caused only property damage is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
  • Injury or Death: Under Vehicle Code 20001, fleeing a crash that injured or killed someone can be charged as a felony, with much steeper fines and longer possible prison time.

The criminal case matters, but it is separate from your own compensation claim. Even if the driver is caught but never criminally charged, you can still pursue a civil claim for your losses.

How Common Are Hit-and-Run Crashes in California?

Hit-and-run crashes are common and becoming more so. Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that about 15% of all police-reported crashes nationwide in 2023 involved a fleeing driver, the highest share in recent years. In California, roughly one in 10 deadly crashes is a hit-and-run.

Northern California is especially impacted on its busiest roads. Fleeing drivers are a known danger along I-80 and I-880 through the East Bay, on US-50 and SR-99 around Sacramento, and down the SR-99 spine through Modesto and the Central Valley. Dense urban areas like Oakland, Sacramento, and Fresno see the heaviest exposure.

Researchers also note that many drivers who flee crashes close to home, meaning these are often local drivers hurting people in their own communities.

Recovering Compensation After a Hit-and-Run

Normally, an injured driver recovers from the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. With a hit-and-run, that door is closed, at least until the at-fault driver is found. Fortunately, California law gives you other ways to recover.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Your single most important protection is uninsured motorist coverage. If you carry it, your own policy can pay for your injuries when the at-fault driver is never identified, exactly the situation a hit-and-run creates. Insurers in California must offer this coverage, though you can waive it in writing, so many drivers carry it without realizing it.

It is worth checking your policy. Though California raised its minimum liability limits to 30/60/15 in 2025, plenty of drivers still carry little or no coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you from paying for their choices.

Other Coverage That May Apply

  • Medical Payments (MedPay): This optional coverage helps pay your medical bills regardless of who was at fault.
  • Collision Coverage: This can pay to repair or replace your vehicle after the crash.
  • A Claim Against the Driver: If the hit-and-run driver is later identified, you can file against their insurer or pursue a lawsuit directly.

Damages You May Recover

Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical Expenses: Emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment tied to your injuries
  • Lost Wages: Income lost while you recover, plus reduced earning capacity if your injuries are long-lasting
  • Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and emotional toll the crash has taken on your life
  • Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged property

Hit-and-Runs Involving Pedestrians and Cyclists

Pedestrians and cyclists have the least protection on the road and the least ability to catch a fleeing vehicle’s details after impact. Together, they make up the majority of people killed in hit-and-run crashes, and their injuries tend to be severe.

If You Were Hit While Walking

A pedestrian struck in a crosswalk or along the road often faces broken bones, head injuries, or worse—sometimes with no vehicle of their own to file a claim through. Other times, they may still be able to recover through their own auto insurance’s uninsured motorist coverage. No matter the situation, an attorney can help locate and preserve evidence, such as nearby camera footage and witness accounts, for pedestrian accident claims.

If You Were Hit While Cycling

Injured cyclists have many of the same options as drivers, including uninsured motorist coverage under their own auto policy. Because the driver is gone and the injuries are often serious, documenting the scene and locating witnesses early makes a real difference for injured cyclists who want to protect their claim.

Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accidents

Because a fleeing driver often speeds away without braking, hit-and-run crashes can cause serious harm.

Physical Injuries

The most common physical injuries include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head trauma that can cause lasting cognitive and physical problems. Learn more about traumatic brain injuries.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage that can lead to partial or full paralysis and lifelong care. See our page on spinal cord injuries.
  • Broken Bones and Fractures: Arms, legs, ribs, and other bones are especially vulnerable in a high-impact crash.
  • Internal Injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding that can be life-threatening and require emergency care.
  • Cuts and Lacerations: Shattered glass and debris that cause painful, sometimes disfiguring wounds.

Emotional Injuries

The emotional toll can be just as real. Many people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or a fear of driving after a hit-and-run. Prompt medical care protects your health and creates a record that supports your claim.

What to Do If the Other Driver Flees the Scene

The moments after a hit-and-run are chaotic, but the steps you take can protect your health and your claim. Acting quickly also gives police a strong chance of finding the driver before the trail goes cold.

Here are the steps after a car accident when a driver has fled:

  • Get to safety. Move out of traffic if you can, turn on your hazard lights, and check yourself and others for injuries.
  • Call 911. Report the crash right away. A police report creates an official record and starts the search for the driver.
  • Note every detail. Write down the vehicle’s make, model, color, any part of the plate, and the direction it fled while it is fresh.
  • Document the scene. Photograph your injuries, your vehicle, the road, and any debris or skid marks.
  • Talk to witnesses. Collect names and phone numbers from anyone who saw what happened.
  • Seek medical care. See a doctor even if you feel fine, because some injuries surface hours or days later.
  • Notify your insurer, then a lawyer. Report the crash promptly to your own insurer, but avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting an offer before you get legal advice.

How a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Can Help You

When the at-fault driver is gone, the practical work of building a claim gets harder. This is where having a lawyer makes a real difference.

We can help by:

  • Investigating the Crash: We can work with law enforcement, canvass for witnesses, and pull traffic and surveillance camera footage to help identify the driver whenever possible.
  • Handling the Insurance Claim: We deal with the adjusters, file under the right coverage, and push back when an insurer tries to undervalue what you went through.
  • Building Your Case: We gather your medical records, document your losses, and calculate the full value of your damages so nothing is left on the table.
  • Taking It to Court if Needed: If a fair settlement is not offered, we can file a lawsuit and represent you through litigation.

Our attorneys bring over 45 years of experience to this work. Insurance companies know Berg Injury Lawyers, and they know we do not let our clients get pushed around. You never pay anything upfront, either. With our No Fee Guarantee®, if you don’t win, you pay nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do at the Scene if I Was in an Accident With a Hit-and-Run Driver?

Get to safety, call 911, and gather as much detail about the vehicle as you can. A police report, photos, any camera footage, and witness information all support both the search for the driver and your insurance claim. Then talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurer.

How Can a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A lawyer investigates the crash, works to identify the driver, and handles the insurance claim so you can focus on healing. We can pull camera footage, interview witnesses, file under the right coverage, and take your case to court if a fair settlement is not offered.

Can I Still Get Compensation If the Driver Is Never Found?

Yes. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, your own policy can pay for your injuries even when the driver is never identified. Medical payments and collision coverage may also help with your bills and vehicle repairs.

Does My California Car Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run?

It can, depending on your policy. Uninsured motorist coverage is the main protection for hit-and-run injuries, which insurers are required to offer in California—though drivers can waive it in writing. Medical payments coverage and collision coverage may also cover medical bills and vehicle damage.

Does Reporting the Hit-and-Run to Police Help My Injury Claim?

Yes. A police report creates an official record of the crash and provides investigators with the details they need to identify the driver. Insurers also expect prompt reporting, and a report can strengthen your claim.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, and with our No Fee Guarantee, if you don’t win, you pay nothing.

Contact Our California Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

If a driver hit you and fled, you do not have to sort this out alone. Berg Injury Lawyers helps injured hit-and-run victims across Northern California and the Central Valley. We can investigate the crash, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Contact Berg Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.