What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run?

Call 911, document the scene, collect witness info, note vehicle details, seek immediate medical attention, and call Gonzales Law Offices before giving any statement to your insurance company. Surveillance footage is deleted in 24-72 hours — act fast.

Southern California Hit & Run Accident Attorney

Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
They Fled. We'll Still Make Them Pay.

Over 15,000 hit-and-run crashes occur in Southern California every year. When the driver flees, most victims think they're out of options. They're wrong. Attorney Mark Gonzales — a former insurance defense attorney — knows exactly how to recover through your UM policy, surveillance investigation, and independent driver identification, even when the at-fault driver is never found.

15K+

SoCal Hit-Runs/Yr

$380K

Sample Recovery

4.9★

500+ Reviews

24/7

Available

Upfront

📞 Call Free — 909-587-6336 💬 Text Us Now

🚗💨 Hit & Run Specialists ✅ Avvo Superb 10.0 ⚖️ CA Bar #249340 💼 Former Insurance Defense Atty 🌐 Se Habla Español

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Don't Give a Recorded Statement to Your Insurance Company Yet

After a hit-and-run, your own insurer may seem sympathetic — but they're collecting information to minimize your UM claim. Call us first: 909-587-6336. We handle all insurer communication to protect your claim's value.

Our Approach

How We Recover Compensation After a Hit and Run

The at-fault driver's absence doesn't end your right to compensation. We pursue every available avenue simultaneously.

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Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

California law requires UM coverage on most auto policies. When a hit-and-run driver is unidentified, your own UM policy covers injuries and damages. Insurers fight these claims hard — we fight back harder.

Primary recovery avenue

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Surveillance Investigation

We deploy investigators within hours to canvas for surveillance cameras — businesses, traffic signals, doorbells, ATMs. Video evidence has allowed us to identify hit-and-run drivers long after the incident.

Footage deleted in 24–72 hrs

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Witness Location

Bystanders often see things victims miss. We interview everyone near the scene, search social media, and track down vehicle occupants who may have witnessed the crash.

Witnesses change outcomes

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Police Report Enhancement

We work with law enforcement to strengthen the police report and pursue driver identification through available databases and forensic evidence.

File report within 24 hours

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Independent Driver ID

Paint transfers, debris, partial plate numbers, and witness data have all helped us identify hit-and-run drivers independently. If found, we pursue their insurance AND your UM simultaneously.

Dual-track recovery

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UM Policy Litigation

If your insurer refuses fair UM value, we file for arbitration or litigation. Our trial reputation forces insurers to negotiate seriously from day one rather than lowball victims.

Trial-ready approach

Immediate Action Plan

What to Do After a Hit and Run in California

The first 24 hours are critical. Follow these steps to protect your health and legal claim.

Stay Safe & Call 911

Move to safety if possible. Call 911 immediately — a police report is essential for your UM claim. Note time, location, and any details about the fleeing vehicle: color, make, partial plate, direction of travel.

Document the Scene

Photograph your vehicle, injuries, skid marks, debris, and surroundings. Look for nearby surveillance cameras. Collect witness names and contact info before they leave.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you feel okay — go to the ER or urgent care. Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries may not be apparent for hours. A medical record linking your injuries to the crash is critical.

Call Gonzales Law Before Your Insurer

Your insurance company will request a recorded statement. Do not give one without an attorney. Call 909-587-6336 first — we handle all insurer communication to prevent them from using your words against you.

We Investigate & File Your UM Claim

We immediately deploy investigators for surveillance and witnesses, file your UM claim properly, and pursue driver identification in parallel. Most UM claims settle 6–12 months after medical treatment concludes.

Client Results

Real Hit & Run Recoveries

★★★★★

"Driver ran a red light, hit me, then took off. Police had nothing. Mark found surveillance from a nearby business, identified the driver, and simultaneously pursued my UM policy. Recovered $380,000."

Carlos V.

Hit & run · Fontana

$380,000

★★★★★

"My own insurance company fought my UM claim after a hit-and-run. Mark knows exactly how they deny these cases — he pushed back hard and got me $190,000 from MY OWN insurer. Never thought that was possible."

Lisa K.

UM claim · San Bernardino

$190,000

★★★★★

"Pedestrian hit-and-run in Ontario. Police couldn't ID the driver. Mark investigated independently, found a witness with a photo, tracked down the driver. Full insurance coverage — settled $275,000."

Ana M.

Pedestrian hit & run · Ontario

$275,000

Common Questions

Hit and Run FAQ

Yes. Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when a hit-and-run driver is not identified. California law requires UM coverage on most auto policies. Your UM policy covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering up to your policy limits. We have extensive experience forcing UM carriers to pay maximum value.

Generally, California insurers cannot raise your rates for a UM claim when you were not at fault. You are the victim — the hit-and-run driver caused the accident. However, every policy is different. Have an attorney review your situation before making any statements to your insurer.

California's personal injury statute of limitations is 2 years, but UM policies often have shorter contractual notice requirements — sometimes as little as 30 days. Always contact an attorney immediately. Call 909-587-6336.

Parking lot hit-and-runs are extremely common and your UM policy generally covers them. There is often surveillance in parking lots — we act immediately to secure that footage before it is overwritten. Contact us right away.

Our Offices