Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in San Mateo

From El Camino Real to Highway 101, hit-and-run accidents occur far too frequently on San Mateo streets, leaving injured victims with overwhelming medical bills and unanswered questions. If you suffered injuries in a collision where the at-fault driver left the scene, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

Call (650) 367-6811 for a free consultation with a hit-and-run accident lawyer in San Mateo at Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP. We help victims identify the responsible party and find other means of compensation to pursue full compensation for their losses.

Why Hire a San Mateo Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer?

Pursuing justice and compensation after a hit-and-run crash presents many challenges that distinguish these cases from standard car accidents. When the responsible driver cannot be immediately identified, victims must navigate complex insurance claims, conduct thorough investigations, and often pursue alternative avenues for recovery.

At Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, our attorneys understand these obstacles and provide the legal guidance necessary to overcome them. A skilled hit-and-run accident attorney offers several advantages, including:

• Conducting comprehensive investigations
• Interviewing witnesses
• Gathering and preserving evidence
• Examining all available compensation options
• Handling all communications with insurers
• Calculating the full value of your damages
• Filing all necessary claims within statutory deadlines
• Negotiating aggressively for fair settlements
• Taking a case to court if necessary

Many hit-and-run victims mistakenly believe they can manage insurance claims without legal help. Yet insurance companies often use strategies to minimize or deny payouts, especially when liability is disputed.

Working with an experienced San Mateo car accident attorney for hit-and-run cases ensures your rights and interests are safeguarded every step of the way. Our firm has a strong record of advocating for hit-and-run victims in San Mateo County, pursuing settlements that accurately reflect the full scope of their damages.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident

The moments following a collision where the other driver flees can feel chaotic and disorienting. However, the actions you take immediately after the incident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation.

Knowing the proper steps to follow protects both your health and your legal rights. Assuming you’ve already called 911 and remained at the scene, take these additional steps after a hit-and-run accident:

• Gather information about the fleeing vehicle (when possible).
• Identify and speak with witnesses to get their contact information.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, and the surrounding area.
• Seek immediate medical attention, regardless of how minor injuries appear.
• Preserve all evidence related to the crash.

Even seemingly minor collisions can result in significant injuries. Victims in San Mateo have suffered broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries in hit-and-run incidents. Prompt medical evaluation creates documentation that establishes the connection between the accident and your injuries, which becomes essential evidence in your claim.

After addressing immediate medical concerns, consulting with our San Mateo personal injury attorneys ensures that your case proceeds correctly from the outset, preventing mistakes that could jeopardize your compensation. We contact your insurance company, work with law enforcement, and handle legal processes so that you can prioritize medical treatment and recovery.

Can I Still Recover Compensation for a Hit-and-Run?

In a hit-and-run case, the ideal outcome is finding the at-fault driver and holding them accountable for their actions. The car accident lawyers at Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP conduct independent investigations even when police have closed their files, sometimes uncovering evidence that leads to the identification of the driver.

When we successfully identify the at-fault driver, you gain the ability to pursue compensation directly from their insurance policy, potentially exceeding the limits of your own insurance coverage. Legal counsel can maximize both the probability of identifying the responsible party and the compensation you ultimately receive.

However, not being able to identify the fleeing driver does not automatically eliminate your chance for compensation. Although finding the at-fault party can make your claim stronger, California law offers alternative avenues for recovery when the driver is unknown or does not carry enough insurance. In these situations, multiple potential sources of compensation may still be accessible, including:

• Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage when the at-fault driver cannot be identified
• Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which provides additional compensation if the fleeing driver is located but carries insufficient insurance
• Medical payments (MedPay) coverage through your own policy, which covers medical expenses regardless of fault
• Collision coverage for vehicle damage, subject to your deductible
• Compensation from the California Victim Compensation Board for violent crimes, including hit-and-run accidents

Understanding which coverages apply to your situation requires careful review of your insurance policy. An experienced attorney who regularly handles California hit-and-run cases can evaluate your policy, identify all available compensation sources, and pursue maximum recovery through the appropriate channels. We frequently discover overlooked coverage options that insurance adjusters fail to mention, which can result in substantially larger settlements.

What Happens If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?

Law enforcement agencies investigate hit-and-run accidents throughout San Mateo. Still, despite their best efforts, some fleeing drivers are never apprehended. When investigators exhaust all leads and are unable to identify the responsible party, victims often must rely on their own insurance coverage for compensation.

The claims process with your own insurance company may seem straightforward. However, insurers often contest the extent of injuries or whether certain medical treatments are necessary to undervalue or deny claims. Your insurer might argue:

• That your injuries were pre-existing.
• That you received excessive treatment.
• That you bear partial responsibility for the collision.

Having legal representation counteracts these tactics and ensures that your hit-and-run accident claim receives a fair evaluation.

Will My Insurance Rates Go Up If I File a Hit-and-Run Claim?

Hit-and-run accident victims frequently hesitate to file claims with their own insurance companies. They are often afraid of insurance premium increases that punish them for circumstances beyond their control. However, California law prohibits insurers from raising rates or canceling policies based solely on a claim where the policyholder was not at fault. Key considerations include:

• Uninsured motorist claims typically do not result in rate increases when you bear no fault for the accident.
• Your insurance history, driving record, and claim frequency all influence rating decisions.
• Insurers may still increase rates based on factors unrelated to your hit-and-run claim.
• Some policies include accident forgiveness provisions that protect against rate increases after a first claim.

While legal protections exist, insurance companies use sophisticated rating systems that consider numerous factors when calculating premiums. Documenting that you bear no responsibility for the hit-and-run accident becomes vital to preventing unjustified rate increases.

Our hit-and-run accident attorney team can help present a claim that emphasizes your lack of fault to prevent your rates from being impacted. We also monitor your insurer’s response to ensure they comply with California’s prohibition against penalizing not-at-fault claimants. Fear of rate increases should never prevent you from pursuing deserved compensation for injuries caused by a fleeing driver.

How Long Do I Have to File a Hit-and-Run Claim in California?

Time limitations govern both insurance claims and civil lawsuits arising from collisions, including types of car accidents where the responsible driver flees the scene. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation, regardless of how severe your injuries or how clear the other driver’s liability.

California law establishes a two-year (2) statute of limitations for most personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents. However, insurance policy requirements often require prompt notification of accidents, typically within a few days. Uninsured motorist claims may also have shorter deadlines specified in your policy language.

In addition to statutory deadlines, there are practical reasons to move quickly on your claim. Over time, critical evidence can disappear – witnesses may relocate, memories can fade, and physical evidence may be lost or destroyed. Surveillance videos from nearby businesses are typically kept for only a brief period before being erased. Vehicle repairs can destroy key evidence, and older medical records become increasingly difficult to access once providers archive them. The earlier you contact a San Mateo personal injury lawyer, the sooner they can begin securing evidence and protecting your case.

Talk to Our San Mateo Car Accident Attorneys Today

Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP has built a reputation throughout San Mateo County for delivering results that exceed client expectations. For over 40 years, our case results have consistently demonstrated that we have successfully secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for accident victims, reflecting the full scope of our clients’ losses and injuries. Client testimonials praise our responsive communication, thorough preparation, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Protecting your rights requires acting promptly after a hit-and-run accident, and our firm stands ready to begin work on your behalf immediately. Working with a qualified legal professional ensures that procedural requirements do not prevent you from obtaining full compensation for your injuries.

Contact Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP at (650) 367-6811 or reach out online for your free consultation with a hit-and-run accident attorney in San Mateo. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney’s fees unless we secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf.