Getting into a hit-and-run accident in San Francisco can leave you with a lot of questions about your legal options and future. Whether or not the at-fault driver is identified, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Our San Francisco hit-and-run attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can help you understand your rights and seek justice after a car crash. Contact our San Francisco car accident lawyers to begin with a free case evaluation. Our local law office is located at 50 California St. Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111.
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Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers for Your San Francisco Hit-and-Run Case
- We have decades of experience in California personal injury and automotive accident law. Our team has been representing crash victims in California since 1972.
- We have a proven track record in San Francisco County courts. Our law firm has a 99 percent success rate and has collected over $2 billion in settlements for clients.
- We are Californians advocating for Californians. With a team of local attorneys, we have in-depth knowledge of San Francisco traffic laws.
- Our team offers free initial consultations and extremely flexible appointment scheduling, with availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can travel to meet with you if you are injured.
- You won’t pay us unless we win. Our hit-and-run accident lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only charge attorney’s fees if we win the case.
Understanding Hit-and-Run Accidents in San Francisco
A “hit-and-run” means a driver gets involved in a motor vehicle collision and does not stop at the scene. He or she flees the scene without stopping to fulfill his or her driver responsibilities under California Vehicle Code § 20002. These include:
- Immediately stopping the vehicle at the nearest location that will not impede traffic or otherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists.
- Locate and notify the owner or person in charge of the other vehicle and exchange or leave information.
- Render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the auto accident, including transporting or making arrangements for transporting the person to the nearest hospital.
Committing a hit-and-run is a crime in San Francisco. It is a misdemeanor that can be escalated to a felony if there are aggravating circumstances, such as serious bodily injuries or drunk driving. The penalties for a conviction can include fines and jail time.
Common Hit-and-Run Scenarios in San Francisco
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, San Francisco County had 656 hit-and-run accidents involving injury or death in 2022. The most common hit-and-run scenarios include:
- Vehicle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Parking lot incidents
- Hit-and-runs with parked cars
- Sideswipe accidents
- No-contact crashes
Hit-and-run accidents in San Francisco can range from minor fender benders with property damage only to serious collisions with devastating and even fatal injuries.
Compensation Available for San Francisco Hit-and-Run Victims
Since California is a fault-based car insurance state, most car accidents result in the at-fault driver paying for the victim’s medical bills and property damage through his or her car insurance policy. If the at-fault driver is not identified in a hit-and-run crash, however, the victim may have to turn to his or her own insurance company (or a third party) for coverage.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Benefits
In California, uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance are optional types of coverage, but they legally must be offered to you at the time of purchase. You must reject these benefits in writing when you purchase your policy.
If you have UM/UIM insurance, this can pay for your medical bills and other losses after a hit-and-run crash. Your own insurance provider will treat the case as if the hit-and-run driver did stop, but did not have insurance.
Third Party Liability
Depending on the circumstances, you may also have grounds to hold a third party responsible for your hit-and-run. A third party refers to someone who was not immediately involved but who contributed to the accident or injury. Examples include the San Francisco government for an unsafe or defective roadway or a product manufacturing company for a defective part that contributed to your injuries.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
A successful hit-and-run accident claim in San Francisco could result in financial compensation for a variety of your losses, both economic and non-economic:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Disability or lost capacity to earn
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If your lawyer can prove that the defendant acted with malice, oppression or fraud, you may also qualify for punitive damages – an additional amount given to punish the defendant.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in San Francisco
Try to remain calm if you get involved in a hit-and-run car accident in San Francisco. Pull over in a safe location to check for injuries and call the police. Dial 911 to reach the San Francisco Police Department and report the accident. The police will arrive on the scene to investigate and document the crash with a police report.
Get medical attention immediately for any injuries. While the accident is still fresh in your mind, write down everything you can remember. Try to recall details about the hit-and-run driver, such as the color or make of his or her vehicle or partial license plate numbers. Before you leave the scene, take pictures.
Contact your own car insurance company to report the accident and inquire about first-party coverage for your losses. Follow up with the police to find out if they have identified or caught the at-fault driver. If so, contact that driver’s insurance provider to file a claim. Before engaging in insurance settlement negotiations, contact a San Francisco personal injury lawyer for legal counsel and guidance.
Get Started With Your San Francisco Hit-and-Run Case Today
You are not alone as a victim of a hit-and-run car accident in San Francisco. The attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers are here to help you pick up the pieces, return to the life you love and seek justice through all available legal outlets.
We will navigate your case using our decades of experience and legal knowledge. From investigating the crash and collecting key evidence to working with law enforcement to identify the at-fault driver, we will do everything possible to help you achieve justice.
For a free consultation and case review in San Francisco, call (415) 855-4289 or contact us online. We offer 24/7 availability for accident victims. There are no fees for our services unless we win. If you were involved in a Fremont car accident, our San Francisco car accident lawyers can service your case.
Jacoby & Meyers Accident & Injury Lawyers – San Francisco
50 California St Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111