Victorville Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers
with over $500 Million Recovered in Compensation for Injury Clients.
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our Victorville Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers Turn Victims Into Victors
Victorville regularly witnesses heavy traffic, especially on the weekends. Stretching across the entire city, Interstate 15 is the most used highway for locals and Los Angeles residents to reach Las Vegas. As a result, reckless drivers in high spirits cause hundreds of injuries in the city annually. If you were hit by a driver who fled the scene, our Victorville hit-and-run accident lawyers are here to help. Call us at (888) 488-1391 any time of the day, any day of the week, for a free consultation.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 639 victims were killed or injured on Victorville roads in 2020. One of the many reasons for this is that Interstate 15 also connects to other major roads, such as Highway 395 and Highway 18. Unfortunately, some drivers flee the accident scene due to prior criminal records, the presence of alcohol in their bodies, or out of fear of getting apprehended.
If you’ve been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, be sure to report it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using the SR-1 form. After that, call our personal injury lawyers in Victorville to help analyze the incident and know your legal options. Our lines are open 24/7, and we don’t charge for the initial consultation. Alternatively, you may fill out our contact form, and we’ll reach out to you upon determining that you have a case.
April 2019: $14M settlement in a traumatic brain injury case involving a defective piece of equipment at a factory.– BRIAN BEECHER
Why Choose Our Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers In Victorville?
Hit-and-run accidents are trickier to solve since the victims don’t often have the other party’s essential information. Don’t worry. Our attorneys have extensive experience in these types of cases. When you choose Arash Law, you’re choosing to:
- Pay nothing until the case is resolved – Arash Law offers a contingency-based agreement for its clients. This means we’ll finance the legal proceedings until the case is closed. You only have to pay us after we secure your claim or win your case.
- Have a reliable lawyer 24/7 – You can rely on our attorneys from the first step of the legal proceeding up until the very end. We’ll keep you in the loop and provide updates about the case. We’ll work tirelessly until we find the person responsible and get you compensated.
- Get the best medical care for your injuries – If you’ve been hurt in an accident, our law firm will give you access to the best doctors in Victorville and anywhere in California. We’ll ensure that your well-being is taken care of while we’re working on your claim.
- Fight for maximum compensation – We define “fair settlement” as “maximum compensation,” and that’s what we’ll fight for. We’ll ensure you receive payments for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages. We’ll also fight for compensation for emotional distress and other non-economic damages. You just need to call our personal injury lawyers in Victorville, who specialize in hit-and-run accidents.
Benefits Of Hiring Victorville Hit-And-Run Attorneys
Hit-and-run accidents are exceptionally tricky cases. However, hiring an attorney can shorten the timeframe for receiving compensation. On top of that, your lawyer will also help you in every aspect of your claim through the following:
- Finding The Culprit – Locating the driver who hit you after fleeing the scene is one of the most challenging aspects of hit-and-run accidents. Lawyers can help recover CCTV footage and other pieces of evidence that will lead to the identification of the culprit.
- Legal Representation – Lawyers will try to reach an out-of-court settlement to save costs on both ends. However, there are cases where the culprit argues that the victim is responsible for the accident. If it comes to it, Arash Law will guarantee that you have the best attorneys to pursue the case in court.
- Protection From Unfair Insurance Settlements – If your lawyer successfully finds the person responsible, his/her insurance company will most likely offer a settlement. Your attorney recognizes the most common tactics agents use to minimize settlements. Backed by the law, attorneys can improve your settlement offer to reflect the full extent of your injuries.
What To Do After A Hit-And-Run Accident In Victorville, CA?
Every hit-and-run accident is unique, but even more so in Victorville. Since the city connects to three major highways, fleeing drivers become more challenging to locate. In the event that a driver hits you and flees the scene, be sure to remember the steps below if you are conscious and able.
- Assess The Situation – Immediately assess your condition for any injuries sustained in the accident. If you’re seriously hurt, your mobility might be limited. However, if you can safely move out of traffic, do so. Find a secure location, like a sidewalk, to prevent further harm.
- Call 911 – Even if no one needs medical aid, be sure to call 911 immediately. Inform them of the incident so they can dispatch police units to your location.
- Gather Information – Getting evidence and essential information is one of the most complex parts of hit-and-run accidents. It’s not advisable to follow a driver after a hit-and-run. So, get as much information as quickly as possible. You want to try to get the following details:
- License plate number
- Car make, color, and model
- Other identifying details on the vehicle
- Driver’s appearance
- Inform Your Insurance Company – Let your auto-insurance provider know about the incident as well, especially since most policies cover hit-and-run accidents. If you have personal insurance, you may also contact them to determine if your policy covers this type of accident. However, we encourage victims to talk to a lawyer before signing anything.
- Call A Lawyer – Finally, call one of our hit-and-run accident lawyers in Victorville at (888) 488-1391. We’ll help gather additional evidence, find the culprit, and get maximum compensation for your injuries and other damages.
California Laws Regarding Hit-And-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents usually fall into two categories: property damage or personal injury. Property damage qualifies as a misdemeanor only, but personal injury falls under felony offenses.
The laws applicable to the incident depend on the severity of the victim’s injuries and damages. Here are two of the most common laws referenced in hit-and-run accidents.
Misdemeanor Hit-And-Run
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20002, a driver who causes property damage to another person on the road must:
- Stop immediately at the nearest possible location without compromising other people’s safety.
- Present the aggrieved party with their name and address.
- Give the other party a copy of their vehicle registration and driver’s license. If the driver doesn’t own the vehicle, they must provide the owner’s contact information.
- Provide the other party with their insurance information. Failure to do so will merit a $250 fine.
If the guilty party flees the scene without following these duties, they face guaranteed punishment or imprisonment for up to six months.
Felony Hit-And-Run
A hit-and-run becomes a felony offense if the driver flees the scene and the collision results in someone’s injury or death. Under California Vehicle Codes 20003 to 20004, the driver must:
- Stop at the crash site immediately.
- Call the police if someone dies.
- Provide the police and the other party with their identification and contact information.
- Provide the police and the other party with their insurance policy and car registration information.
A felony hit-and-run is a more severe offense. Therefore, the penalties and punishment are harsher than for a misdemeanor hit-and-run.
If someone died in the collision, the victim’s loved one may also file for a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
Adept Victorville hit-and-run accident lawyers must prove that the defendant was responsible for the incident. In most cases, lawyers establish a direct connection through:
- Statements made by the defendant to the police, insurance adjusters, and other relevant parties
- Damages on the defendant’s vehicle correlating to the damages on the victim’s vehicle
How Do Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers Determine Who’s Responsible?
Lawyers, along with insurance companies, will use every piece of evidence and gather more information to determine who’s responsible. While it would seem pretty obvious who’s liable in a hit-and-run accident, going over the evidence improves your chances of winning a claim.
Lawyers may also gather testimonies from witnesses present at the accident scene to support your claim. Through these methods, your hit-and-run accident lawyers in Victorville will determine who to file the claim against.
However, the burden of proof in hit-and-run cases falls on the prosecution. In other words, your lawyer must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Was driving the vehicle
- Was involved in the accident
- Caused your injury/damage to your property
- Knew that the accident might have caused damage to someone else’s property
- Failed to perform his/her duties under California Vehicle Code Section 20002
Common Reasons Why Drivers Get Into Hit-And-Run Accidents In Victorville
Hit-and-run accidents are unique because drivers have individual reasons for fleeing the scene. More often than not, violators are motivated by the following elements to run from their responsibilities:
According to the California DMV, Victorville law enforcers apprehended 905 misdemeanor and felony DUI offenders in 2021. Drunk drivers are more likely to flee the scene to avoid a DUI conviction on top of a hit-and-run case.
Panicked Drivers
Some drivers do not mean to flee the scene, but their fear of repercussions gets the best of them, leading them to commit the crime anyway. Some hit-and-run drivers who panic at the scene of the incident turn themselves in eventually.
The state of California requires drivers to carry the minimum auto-liability insurance at all times. Drivers who do not possess this may be fined, have their licenses suspended, or have their vehicles impounded.
The penalties become harsher if they hit another driver or a pedestrian without auto insurance, leading some of them to flee the scene.
Previous Legal Problems Of The Driver
In worse cases, the driver who fled the scene might already have other outstanding problems with the law. In such situations, the suspect is less likely to take his chances by staying at the location of the incident.
It might be trickier to find the driver in these scenarios because of their stronger motivation to avoid the law. That’s why hiring Victorville lawyers with extensive experience in hit-and-run accidents is essential to finding the culprit and getting compensation.
Gomez v. PG Transportation (settled on 8/11/2023) – settlement involving a man who was struck by a car resulting in a mild traumatic brain injury as well as other orthopedic injuries.– TINA ESHGHIEH
What Financial Compensations Are Available To Hit-And-Run Accident Victims In Victorville?
Compensation for victims doesn’t end with medical bills being paid. Our knowledgeable hit-and-run accident lawyers in Victorville will include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages in your claim to maximize compensation.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to objectively measurable financial losses. This is why it’s essential to document all your expenses related to the accident. Some examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Repair/replacement costs for vehicle and other damaged property
- Domestic services
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to subjective non-monetary losses. Therefore, the compensation for this type of damage differs from one case to another. Your attorneys in Victorville for hit-and-run accidents shall prove that these damages merit compensation.
Some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages refer to additional compensation imposed upon the guilty party as punishment. This serves as an incentive for the guilty party to take vital steps to prevent the same incident from happening again.
The court decides when to award punitive damages. These are more common in cases where the guilty party acted maliciously and beyond doubt.
Statute Of Limitations For Hit-And-Run Accidents In Victorville, CA
A hit-and-run accident may fall into two categories: personal injury and property damage. The statute of limitations varies depending on your claim.
Personal Injury
If you’re filing for a personal injury claim following a hit-and-run accident, you have up to two years from the date of the incident. If your injuries weren’t immediately apparent, then you have one year from the date of discovery.
Property Damage
If you’re filing a claim for property damage only, you have up to three years from the date the damage occurred. The California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 338, outlines what constitutes property damage.
Statistics For Hit-And-Run Accidents In Victorville
Victorville recorded 41 hit-and-run fatalities and injuries in 2020. While the number of accidents is relatively low, it’s a slight increase from 2019’s 36 incidents. Thirty-eight of these fatalities and injuries involve pedestrians.
Of the 61 cities in the US with a population between 100,001 and 250,000 people, Victorville sits at the 19th spot for the number of fatal injuries and crashes involving hit-and-run drivers.
Consult The Most Trusted Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers Victorville Has To Offer Today!
Getting hit by a driver who flees the scene can be incredibly frustrating. For starters, you might have no leads to the person responsible. Secondly, gathering pieces of evidence and testimonies may also be difficult as you recover from injuries.
Our hit-and-run accident attorneys that Victorville trusts are here to help. We’ll turn victims into victors by finding the guilty party and collecting all the essential information needed to file a claim. Just call us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form to get started.
Our free consultations and no-win, no-fee arrangement also extend to nearby locations of Victorville, such as Bell Mountain, Apple Valley, Desert Knolls, Jess Ranch, Mariana Ranchos, Hesperia, North Star Ranch, Oak Hills, Baldy Mesa, Adelanto, Lugo, and Cajon Junction.
