What To Do When The Driver Flees After A Hit-And-Run In Buena Park

If a driver strikes you and flees on Beach Boulevard or any other Buena Park corridor, your first job is safety. Move off the roadway, activate your hazard lights, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Do not follow the fleeing vehicle. Once you are safe, document the vehicle, note any nearby cameras, report the crash to BPPD, get medical care, and notify your insurer about a possible uninsured motorist (UM) claim.

Even if the Buena Park Police Department never identifies the hit-and-run driver, you are not necessarily without recourse. If your policy has UM coverage, it may pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. For a claim involving an unidentified hit-and-run driver, California law generally requires physical contact with the unidentified vehicle, a report to law enforcement within 24 hours, and a sworn statement to the insurer within 30 days.

If police do locate the driver, you may be able to pursue a separate claim against that driver and their insurance company, which can provide broader compensation than UM coverage alone.

What you do in the first 24 to 72 hours after a hit-and-run crash shapes what evidence is available later. Surveillance footage from businesses can overwrite quickly, witnesses are easier to reach immediately after a crash, and early medical documentation makes it harder for an insurer to argue your injuries were caused by something else.

Immediate Steps After A Hit-And-Run Crash In Buena Park

A hit-and-run strips you of the information that a typical crash would provide, including the driver’s name, insurance details, and license plate. Buena Park’s commercial corridors along Beach Boulevard (State Route 39) mean crashes often occur near active traffic, retail parking lots, and intersections covered by private business security systems. Taking these immediate steps quickly puts you in a good position to recover.

Step 1: Get to Safety And Call 911 If Anyone Is Hurt

The steps you take immediately after being injured in an accident can affect both your health and your claim. If it is safe to do so, move your vehicle out of active lanes to a nearby parking lot, side street, or safe pull-off, and then turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries before doing anything else.

Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured. Dispatchers can send paramedics and officers to the scene. If the crash is a property-damage-only incident with no injuries, you can call the BPPD non-emergency line at (714) 562-3902 instead.

Step 2: Document The Fleeing Vehicle And The Scene

Record as much detail as you can about the vehicle that fled: make & model, color, license plate or partial plate, any distinctive damage, decals, or features, and the direction of travel. Then document the crash scene itself before anything is moved or cleaned up. Useful evidence at this stage includes:

Buena Park’s commercial density along Beach Boulevard means there are often security cameras on retail storefronts, gas stations, and fast-food drive-throughs near the crash site. Note the locations of those businesses. Your attorney or the investigating officers may be able to request footage before it overwrites.

 Buena Park also uses CCTV cameras at some intersections for traffic-flow monitoring. However, recorded footage may not exist or be retained, so ask promptly whether any relevant video is available.

Step 3: Report The Crash To The Buena Park Police Department

Reporting a hit-and-run accident to BPPD creates an official record that both the police investigation and your insurance claim will rely on. If you did not report the crash from the scene, contact the Buena Park Police Department as soon as possible. For non-emergency property-damage incidents, call BPPD’s non-emergency dispatch at (714) 562-3902.

You can also contact or visit the Buena Park Police Department at 6640 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90621. The department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, hours vary by unit, and some services are available by appointment only. It is a good idea to confirm availability before visiting.

If your incident is a non-emergency, occurred within Buena Park city limits, did not happen on a freeway or interstate, and involves no known suspect (no driver identity or full plate number), you may be eligible to use the BPPD Citizens Online Police Reporting System. That system lets you submit a report immediately and print a free copy.

Two separate California reporting rules apply to hit-and-run collisions, and satisfying one does not satisfy the other.

• California Vehicle Code § 20008: If a collision causes injury or death, this section generally requires the driver of an involved vehicle to make a written report to the CHP or the appropriate city police department within 24 hours. Separately, an unidentified-driver UM claim generally requires the insured, or someone acting on the insured’s behalf, to report the accident to law enforcement within 24 hours.
• California Vehicle Code § 16000: This section requires you, as the driver involved, to file an SR-1 form with the California Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days if anyone was injured, someone died, or property damage exceeds $1,000. Filing an SR-1 is separate from the police report and is required even if officers responded to the scene.

Step 4: Get Medical Care And Preserve All Records

Seek medical evaluation as soon as possible after a hit-and-run crash, even if you feel only minor discomfort at the scene. Neck, back, and soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash, frequently do not produce their full symptoms until hours or days after a crash, once adrenaline subsides. A documented medical visit close in time to the crash makes it much harder for an insurer to argue that your injuries came from a different source.

Keep organized copies of all of your medical and treatment records. Examples include:

• Emergency room or urgent care records.
• Physician and specialist notes.
• Chiropractic care records and treatment plans.
• Physical therapy records.
• Medical bills and prescription receipts.
• Treatment recommendations for future care.

Chiropractic care is common after vehicle crashes and is well-documented in California personal injury claims. Keep every record from your chiropractor, such as visit notes, billing statements, and treatment plans, in the same file as your other medical records.

What To Do About Your Insurance After A Buena Park Hit-And-Run

Contact your insurance company promptly to report the crash. Ask specifically whether your policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage. MedPay may help pay medical bills regardless of who was at fault while your UM claim is being processed.

California insurers must offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage with every auto liability policy. The coverage applies unless the named insured rejects it in writing. If you did not waive the coverage, it can pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future treatment costs, and other crash-related losses when the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured.

Do not give your auto insurer a recorded statement about a hit-and-run crash before you understand how your policy works and what rights you have. Recorded statements made in the early days after a crash (when you may be in pain, medicated, or uncertain of the details) can be used to minimize the value of your claim. Confirm every instruction your insurer gives you in writing and retain copies of all correspondence.

Filing a UM claim for a not-at-fault hit-and-run does not trigger a rate increase under California law, which strictly prohibits insurers from raising your premiums for an accident if you were not principally at fault. UM and UIM claims are also subject to their own contractual deadlines that differ from the standard two-year lawsuit filing window, so reviewing your policy terms promptly with an attorney is important.

How Filing Deadlines Work For A Buena Park Hit-And-Run Claim

California generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit and two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Missing that deadline generally bars you from pursuing the claim in court. If the hit-and-run driver was never identified, you may need to file a “John Doe” lawsuit naming an unknown defendant before the two-year window closes. Once police later identify the driver, the lawsuit can be amended to name them.

If a public road defect or unsafe road condition contributed to a Buena Park hit-and-run crash, a shorter deadline applies. You must file a government tort claim within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2) against the City of Buena Park or Caltrans for portions of Beach Boulevard (SR-39). Filing a government claim alters the lawsuit deadline:

• If the agency rejects your claim, you generally have six months from the rejection notice to file suit.
• If the agency does not respond in writing, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file suit.

California law generally requires one of three actions within two years of the accident to preserve a UM claim: filing a bodily injury lawsuit against the uninsured motorist, reaching an agreement with the insurer on the amount due, or formally instituting arbitration through the written notice procedure in California Insurance Code § 11580.2.

California’s hit-and-run claim deadlines can run at the same time, and missing one may affect your rights. Criminal and traffic court cases arising in Buena Park are generally handled at the North Justice Center in Fullerton, located at 1275 North Berkeley Avenue. Any criminal case filed there is separate from your civil claim for compensation.

Hit-and-run claim deadlines can pass without warning. If you are unsure which filing windows apply to your Buena Park hit-and-run claim, contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for prompt guidance. Missing any of these deadlines can permanently bar your right to pursue compensation through that specific channel, and some windows are shorter than you may expect.

What Happens When BPPD Identifies the Fleeing Driver

When the Buena Park Police Department locates the driver who fled, your options for compensation expand significantly. You are no longer limited to your own UM coverage: you may now pursue a direct claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy, which can cover a broader range of losses and higher limits than your own UM policy provides.

If the hit-and-run driver is identified, you may also have grounds to seek punitive damages. This is an additional damages a court can award to punish extremely reckless or malicious conduct beyond the compensatory damages that cover your actual losses.

Under California Vehicle Code § 20001 and § 20002, any driver involved in a collision must stop and provide identifying information. In cases of injury or death, the driver must also assist the injured. A driver who flees may face criminal liability, but you do not need to wait for a criminal case to be resolved before pursuing your civil claim.

You may also qualify for assistance through the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB), which provides financial support to eligible crime victims for out-of-pocket expenses. CalVCB assistance is subject to eligibility requirements, cooperation with law enforcement, and coordination with other available payment sources. Contact CalVCB directly or consult an attorney to confirm whether your situation qualifies.

Why Buena Park Hit-And-Run Cases Require Fast Action on Evidence

Buena Park’s commercial density creates a specific evidence landscape for hit-and-run crashes. Beach Boulevard (SR-39) runs through the heart of Buena Park, carrying high volumes of vehicles past entertainment venues, retail centers, and gas stations, many of which operate security camera systems.

Commercial security camera systems often overwrite footage within days or weeks. If a nearby agency or business has recorded video, requesting that evidence quickly can help prevent its loss.

Eyewitnesses also become harder to locate as time passes after a crash. People who saw the incident and are willing to speak on the day it happened may be unreachable weeks later. Paint transfer on your vehicle, debris at the crash site, skid marks, and other physical evidence can degrade or disappear with weather, traffic, and cleanup.

An attorney who handles Buena Park hit-and-run cases can dispatch investigators quickly to identify camera angles, send preservation demands, and photograph the scene before conditions change. Acting quickly to preserve camera footage and witness statements is one of the most practical reasons to involve Arash Law early, rather than after the UM claim is already in dispute.

What a Buena Park Hit-And-Run Attorney Can Do for Your Case

Thinking “I need a personal injury lawyer” is a reasonable reaction when the driver who hit you has disappeared. Hit-and-run claims are procedurally more complex than standard car accident claims because the at-fault driver is unknown, the evidence window is narrow, and the insurance company (your own insurer in a UM claim) has a financial interest in minimizing what it pays.

The Buena Park hit-and-run accident attorneys at Arash Law handle these cases throughout California. We can:

• Investigate the crash beyond what the police report contains.
• Identify and send preservation requests to the owners of security cameras near the crash site on Beach Boulevard and in surrounding corridors.
• Contact witnesses before their recollections fade.
• Review your UM and MedPay policy terms and explain what compensation your policy covers.
• Handle all written and verbal communications with your insurer.
• Identify whether any third party (a business, a government agency, or another driver) may share responsibility.
• Calculate the full value of your claim, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, chiropractic care costs, and projected future treatment needs.

Many people also ask: Do lawyers only get paid if they win? At Arash Law, attorneys handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless your case results in a recovery. The fee agreement is provided in writing at the outset, as required by California Business and Professions Code § 6147. There are no upfront costs to explore your options.

Arash Law Case Results: Hit-and-Run Accidents & Uninsured Motorist Claims

These results obtained by our firm do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique. The results of your specific case depend on the specific facts and evidence involved.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hit-And-Run Accidents in Buena Park

Hit-and-run crashes leave people with urgent, specific questions that standard car accident guidance does not always answer. These responses address the most common concerns under California law for Buena Park residents.

How Long Does The Buena Park Police Department Investigate Hit-And-Run Cases?

The Buena Park Police Department has no fixed deadline for investigating hit-and-run cases. Officers can continue gathering evidence, reviewing camera footage, and following leads for as long as the case remains open and they pursue investigative leads. Cases involving injuries or fatalities are typically prioritized and remain open longer than property-damage-only incidents. You should still file your insurance claim promptly, because UM/UIM claim deadlines run independently of any police investigation.

What If I Did Not Have Insurance At The Time Of The Crash?

If the at-fault driver is later identified, an uninsured driver involved in a hit-and-run may still be able to recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, and property damage) against that driver’s liability policy. However, California law generally bars uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, with limited exceptions. Because those exceptions are narrow and fact-specific, consulting an attorney is important before assuming no recovery is possible.

Can I File A Police Report Online For A Buena Park Hit-And-Run?

You can file a hit-and-run police report online for eligible non-emergency incidents in Buena Park through the BPPD Citizens Online Police Reporting System. The system at bppd.com accepts online reports for incidents that occurred within Buena Park city limits, did not happen on a freeway or interstate, and involve no known suspect. If anyone needed emergency medical assistance and you called 911, the crash may be considered an emergency and might not be eligible for reporting through the online system.

Is It Worth Filing A Um Claim If The Driver Is Never Found?

Filing an uninsured motorist claim is worth pursuing even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified. Your UM coverage acts as a stand-in for the missing driver’s insurance, covering medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care directly through your own carrier. Prompt reporting to BPPD and your insurer is required; delay can complicate or reduce the claim.

What Evidence Matters Most When The Driver Fled And Left No Plate Information?

Physical evidence from the scene can help establish how the crash happened even without a plate number. Among these are paint transfer, broken vehicle parts, glass, and tread or skid marks. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, available traffic cameras, and dashcam footage from other vehicles on the road can be valuable tools for identification. Medical records that document your injuries close in time to the crash are equally important: records from your emergency room, physician, physical therapist, or chiropractor connect your injuries to the specific event.

When direct evidence is limited, accident reconstruction experts can analyze vehicle damage patterns and scene conditions to establish the crash sequence.

Do I Need To Wait For The Criminal Case To End Before Pursuing Compensation?

You do not have to wait for a hit-and-run criminal case to conclude before seeking compensation. Your civil personal injury claim and any criminal prosecution of the hit-and-run driver are separate legal proceedings. You can pursue compensation through a UM claim, a lawsuit, or both while a criminal case is pending or even if charges are never filed. A felony conviction under California Vehicle Code § 20001 can serve as strong evidence in your civil claim.

Hit-And-Run in Buena Park? Arash Law Attorneys Are Ready to Help

A hit-and-run leaves you without the other driver’s name, insurance card, or explanation, but it does not leave you without legal options. Arash Law represents hit-and-run clients in Buena Park and across California. The team at AK Law can review your uninsured motorist coverage, send preservation demands to secure camera footage, investigate beyond the police report, and pursue compensation for medical bills, chiropractic care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and projected future losses.

Call AK Law at (888) 488-1391 for a private consultation. There are no fees unless we recover for you.

About This Page

Arash Law’s hit-and-run attorneys prepared this page for Buena Park, California. Content reflects California law as of July 2026. Key statutes include Vehicle Code §§ 16000, 20001, 20002, and 20008; Insurance Code § 11580.2; Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; and Government Code § 911.2.

Sources

1. Buena Park Police Department — Official Contact Page: https://buenapark.com/city_departments/police/index.php (accessed June 22, 2026)
2. Buena Park Police Department — Citizens Online Police Reporting System: https://bppd.com/serviceshours/services/serviceshours/filepolicereport.php (accessed June 22, 2026)
3. Orange County Superior Court — Locations & Contact Info: https://www.occourts.org/general-information/locations-contact-info (accessed June 22, 2026)
4. Orange County Superior Court — North Justice Center: https://www.occourts.org/location/north-justice-center (accessed June 22, 2026)
5. California DMV — Accident Reporting / SR-1 Form: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv-virtual-office/accident-reporting/ (accessed July 14, 2026)
6. California Vehicle Code § 16000 — SR-1 reporting requirement: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=16000.
7. California Vehicle Code § 20001 — Hit-and-run involving injury or death: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=20001.
8. California Vehicle Code § 20002 — Misdemeanor hit-and-run: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=20002.
9. California Vehicle Code § 20008 — 24-hour injury collision reporting: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=20008.
10. California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 — Two-year personal injury statute of limitations: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&sectionNum=335.1.
11. California Government Code § 911.2 — Government Tort Claims Act, six-month deadline: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=911.2.
12. California Insurance Code § 11580.2 — UM/UIM coverage requirements: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=11580.2.
13. California Business and Professions Code § 6147 — Contingency fee agreement requirements: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=6147.
14. California Victim Compensation Board — Frequently Asked Questions: https://victims.ca.gov/for-victims/frequently-asked-questions (accessed June 22, 2026)
15. UC Berkeley SafeTREC — Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS): https://tims.berkeley.edu/ (accessed June 22, 2026)
16. California Office of Traffic Safety — OTS Crash Rankings: https://ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/crash-rankings

Disclaimer: This page provides general legal information about steps to take after a hit-and-run collision in Buena Park, California. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and procedures referenced may change; consult a licensed California personal injury attorney for advice specific to your situation. Case results described elsewhere on this site are not a guarantee of future outcomes.