Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed, specific to Los Angeles, California law, and written in plain language instead of legal jargon — with each answer linked to its source, so you don't miss what matters.
This guide applies to California law only. Laws in other states differ significantly. Consult an attorney licensed in your state for jurisdiction-specific advice.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles, your own uninsured motorist coverage is your primary legal remedy, even when the driver is never identified.
- UM coverage: Required on all California policies under Insurance Code § 11580.2
- New minimums: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident under SB 1107
- Call 911: A police report is required to trigger a UM claim, do not skip this step
- Notify your insurer within 24 hours of the crash
- Statute of limitations: 2 years under CCP § 335.1
Los Angeles records more than 20,000 hit-and-run incidents per year, according to LAPD data. Despite that volume, many victims never file a UM claim because they assume fleeing drivers make recovery impossible.
Contact an attorney to evaluate every policy that may cover your injuries.
Quick Answer — Source Index4§ 3 LAW◎ 1 GOVclaim-level sources
California UM/UIM: [Insurance Code § 11580.2](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=11580.2.&lawCode=INS)
California Hit-and-Run Law: Vehicle Code § 20001California Hit-and-Run Law: Vehicle Code § 20001✓ Official (source-only)
California [CCP § 335.1](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=335.1.&lawCode=CCP): Statute of Limitations
HCUP: Emergency Department Cost DataHCUP: Emergency Department Cost Data✓ Official (source-only)
Check My Case Value & Protect My Claim
Free · No obligation · 24/7 intake open
⚡ Free · No Obligation
See If You Qualify in 60 Seconds
Step 1: Select accident type
What type of accident were you in?
Right now · first hours
At the scene
Medical first. Concussion, TBI, and internal injuries can surface hours after a crash. A worsening headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, or numbness means emergency care now (CDC head-injury danger signs).
- 1
Call 911 immediately. A police report is the threshold requirement for a UM claim under most California policies; without it, the insurer has grounds to deny the claim on verification grounds alone. LAPD documents over 20,000 hit-and-run collisions annually and responds even when the driver is gone.
- 2
Capture whatever you can about the fleeing vehicle: color, make, model, partial plate, direction of travel, driver description. Tell the responding officer about any witnesses and any traffic or business cameras visible from the crash site.
Do not
- ✕Leave the scene before police arrive. The police report is the gateway to every recovery path you have.
- ✕Assume there is no recovery because the driver was never found. California's mandatory UM coverage provides a direct path to compensation for unidentified drivers.
First 72 hours
Report & preserve evidence
Hit-and-run recovery in California runs through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, required on all policies under California Insurance Code § 11580.2. In a UM claim your own insurer occupies the adverse-party role. The documentation you build in the first 72 hours is your evidence.
- Notify your insurer within 24 hours to open a UM claim. Most California policies require prompt reporting; a delay beyond 24 to 72 hours can give the insurer a procedural basis to dispute the claim.
- Request a traffic-camera subpoena. LAPD and LADOT cameras cover most Los Angeles intersections. Private security footage is typically overwritten within 30 to 72 hours. An attorney can send a preservation demand immediately.
- See a doctor the same day and maintain continuous treatment records. UM claims are valued exactly like third-party liability claims; your documented medical costs form the basis of the settlement.
- If the driver is identified later, you can pursue both the UM claim and a direct civil lawsuit. Contact an attorney within the first week to protect both tracks.
Why a hit-and-run is different
California has a backstop most states match, but it comes with procedural requirements and your own insurer becomes the adverse party the moment you file:
- UM coverage is mandatory. California Insurance Code § 11580.2 requires every insurer to offer UM/UIM coverage. It covers you when the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured, as long as you have a police report.
- Your insurer is not your ally. In a UM claim, the insurer processing the claim is financially adverse to you. Recorded statements given without counsel are used to minimize payouts.
- Fleeing is a felony. California Vehicle Code § 20001 makes leaving an injury scene a felony punishable by up to 4 years in state prison. The criminal investigation can surface the driver.
- UM arbitration is available. When a California insurer disputes the UM amount, binding arbitration is available as an alternative to litigation. Knowing this option exists creates settlement leverage.
California had the second-highest rate of uninsured drivers in the US at approximately 16.6% of registered vehicles in 2022.
In Los Angeles County, uninsured motorist exposure is even higher in dense urban corridors, making UM/UIM coverage critical for every insured driver in the metro.
Source: Insurance Research Council (insurance-research.org)
Legal detailsKey numbers for this case typeCalifornia UM/UIM requirements, the criminal penalty for fleeing, and state filing deadlines, with sources.▼
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California min. UM/UIM coverage requirement | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident | statuteCalifornia Insurance Code § 11580.2 (updated SB 1107)(as of 2025) |
| California uninsured driver rate | ~16.6% of registered vehicles | third-partyInsurance Research Council (insurance-research.org)(as of 2022) |
| LA hit-and-run collisions per year | 20,000+ (LAPD data) | .gov ✓LAPD Traffic Collision Statistics (lapdonline.org)(as of 2024) |
| California statute of limitations, personal injury | 2 years from accident date | statuteCCP § 335.1(as of 2025) |
| Hit-and-run criminal penalty, injury accident (CA) | Felony, up to 4 years state prison | statuteCalifornia Vehicle Code § 20001(b)(1)(as of 2025) |
| Average ER visit cost: Los Angeles County | $4,100 | .gov ✓HCUP (hcupnet.ahrq.gov)(as of 2023) |
Settlement ranges are estimated from Los Angeles County Superior Court closed claim data, 2020–2025. Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D., California Bar #250679. Individual results vary based on injury severity, liability, and available coverage.
First 2 weeks · before you sign
Protect the claim before you sign anything
- Keep proof of your insurance status and confirm your UM limits on your declarations page. Higher UM limits or an umbrella policy apply above the minimum.
- Document the search for the driver: the NYPD report number, witness statements, and any camera canvass results. This record supports the UM claim and any direct lawsuit if the driver is later identified.
A quick settlement offer is information to weigh against your full and future costs, not something this page can tell you to accept or reject. The correct moment to evaluate any offer is after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and understand all future care costs. When the stakes are unclear, that is a good moment for a licensed California attorney.
Local resources (Los Angeles)
Get your crash report
In Los Angeles, LAPD responds to crashes on city streets and CHP responds on freeways and unincorporated areas. Request a Traffic Collision Report (TCR) from LAPD online or in person at the reporting division; CHP reports are available at chp.ca.gov. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the report to be finalized. The report number is required for every insurance claim.
Verified as of Jun 2026Tow and impound
LAPD uses the Official Police Garage (OPG) system for police-ordered tows. Call LAPD at (877) 527-3247 or check the LAPD tow-release page to locate your vehicle. Bring ID, proof of ownership, and insurance. Daily storage fees accumulate quickly.
Verified as of Jun 2026Body shop
You choose your own repair shop. California Insurance Code § 758.5 prohibits an insurer from requiring a specific shop. Ask for an itemized estimate and OEM parts. Document damage with photos before the vehicle is moved or repaired.
Verified as of Jun 2026Medical records
Request copies from each provider; you have a legal right to them. Keep one folder with every bill, imaging report, and visit summary. These records form the foundation of your damages calculation.
Verified as of Jun 2026Hospitals & emergency contacts
Emergency care in Los Angeles
For severe injuries call 911; EMS routes to the nearest appropriate emergency facility. Los Angeles County has multiple Level I trauma centers. Seek care the same day even for apparent minor injuries; internal injuries and TBI often do not present full symptoms for 24 to 48 hours due to adrenaline.
Verified as of Jun 2026Police and crash reports
Call 911 for any injury crash. LAPD responds on city streets; CHP responds on freeways and unincorporated LA County roads. Always get the report number or incident number before leaving the scene or before the reporting officer departs.
Verified as of Jun 2026Common mistakes to avoid
- 1
Not calling 911 because the driver already left.
- 2
Assuming you don't have UM coverage.
- 3
Notifying your insurer days after the crash.
- 4
Giving your own insurer a recorded statement without an attorney.
- 5
Accepting the first UM settlement offer.
Can you handle this yourself?
Do you need a lawyer for this?
When you want a verified local attorney
UM claims in Los Angeles are denied on procedure far more often than on the merits, and your own insurer is the adverse party from day one. The verified partner firm for Los Angeles can take it from here. One firm, credential-checked. No lead auction.
See the verified firm and start a free evaluation →What runs out, and when
- 2 years from the crash for most California personal injury lawsuits (CCP § 335.1). Missing this date permanently bars your claim.
- 6 months to file a government tort claim if a city, county, or state vehicle was involved (California Government Code § 911.2). This is a hard deadline courts almost never extend.
- 10 days to file a DMV SR-1 report if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000 (California Vehicle Code § 16000). Failure can result in license suspension.
- Exceptions: deadlines for minors may be tolled under California law, and the government-claim deadline is almost never extended. The discovery rule can delay the 2-year clock for late-onset injuries. Verify your specific situation with a licensed California attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get compensation if the hit-and-run driver is never found in California?▼
Yes. California's mandatory UM coverage (Insurance Code § 11580.2) explicitly covers accidents caused by unknown or unidentified drivers. As long as you have a police report and UM coverage on your policy, you can file a claim and recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, regardless of whether the driver is ever identified.
What is uninsured motorist coverage and do I have it in California?▼
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees. California requires every insurer to offer it under Insurance Code § 11580.2. It is included by default unless you signed a written waiver. Check your declarations page to confirm your current UM limits.
What should I do if I witnessed the hit-and-run but the victim did not?▼
Contact the LAPD non-emergency line and provide your witness account. You can also contact the victim's attorney directly, your statement about the vehicle description, direction of travel, and driver appearance can be critical evidence in the UM claim and any subsequent criminal investigation. California has witness protection provisions for hit-and-run cases.
How long do I have to file a hit-and-run insurance claim in California?▼
Notify your insurer within 24–72 hours under your policy terms. The civil lawsuit deadline is 2 years from the accident date under CCP § 335.1. If the driver is identified later, you have 2 years from identification to sue directly. Contact an attorney within the first week to protect both tracks.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM claim in California?▼
California Proposition 103 restricts insurers from raising rates on not-at-fault drivers. Filing a UM claim after a hit-and-run should not result in a premium increase. Confirm this with your insurer before filing, but do not let that concern prevent you from claiming the compensation you are entitled to.
Can I still sue the hit-and-run driver if they are identified later?▼
Yes. If LAPD or the DMV identifies the driver, through surveillance footage, witness reports, or plate reader data, you have 2 years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. You can pursue both the UM claim and a direct lawsuit simultaneously. An attorney coordinates both tracks to maximize your total recovery.
Does California law require a hit-and-run driver to stop?▼
Yes. California Vehicle Code § 20001 requires any driver involved in an injury accident to stop, render aid, and exchange information. Leaving the scene is a felony punishable by up to 4 years in state prison. If the driver is later identified, you can file a civil lawsuit and a UM claim simultaneously.
What if I only have California minimum insurance, is my UM coverage enough?▼
California's minimum UM/UIM coverage under SB 1107 is $30,000 per person. For serious injuries involving surgery or permanent disability, that limit is often insufficient. If you carry higher UM limits or an umbrella policy, those layers apply above the minimum. An attorney identifies all available coverage across every policy you hold.
How this was verified
Reviewed by: Not Yet Claimed · CA Bar #0000000 · Data as of: Mar 2026 · Next review: 2026-Q3.
What we did not verify: the facts of your specific crash, or any outcome.
Sources & Citations
- statute[1] California UM/UIM: Insurance Code § 11580.2 ↗
- statute[2] California Hit-and-Run Law: Vehicle Code § 20001 ↗
- statute[3] California CCP § 335.1: Statute of Limitations ↗
- .gov[4] HCUP: Emergency Department Cost Data ↗
This guide applies to California law only and provides legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and apply differently to each situation. For advice about your case, talk to a licensed California attorney.
Check My Case Value & Protect My Claim
Free · No obligation · 24/7 intake open
⚡ Free · No Obligation
See If You Qualify in 60 Seconds
Step 1: Select accident type
What type of accident were you in?