" I highly recommend Sally Morin for a battle where you are up against the titans of the auto insurance industry, and the medical industry. " - Lou R.
Did you know the United States recently reached an all-time high for hit-and-run deaths? And even worse, California leads the nation in the rate of hit-and-run fatalities with about 60% more hit-and-runs than we had 10 years ago.
A hit-and-run crash occurs when two people collide in a motor vehicle accident, on bikes, on scooters, on motorcycles, on foot, or a combination of these, and one person fails to remain at the scene. Under California law, it’s illegal to flee the scene of an accident with injuries or significant property damage. A felony hit-and-run conviction can bring 4 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Unfortunately, people still commit hit-and-runs every day. Many of these accidents are severe and tragic, where a victim is left injured or dying in the street without emergency aid because the other person fled.
Fatal hit-and-runs are most common in situations that involve pedestrians and bicyclists because their bodies are so vulnerable to the forces of a crash. Nearly 65% of the people killed each year in hit-and-run accidents were either walking or riding a bike at the moment of impact.
But the person most likely to flee the scene of an accident is a motorist. Sometimes a driver hurts or kills someone and quickly drives or runs away from the accident, leaving victims and witnesses wondering what to do next.
On this page, the team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers is sharing some helpful information about hit-and-run accidents in the San Francisco Bay Area and what you can do if you ever find yourself in this situation. We’re here to help you recover and get the compensation you need after the trauma of a hit-and-run accident occurs.
At the Sally Morin Law Firm, we’ve seen it all when it comes to hit-and-run accidents. We’ve seen innocent bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists run down by negligent drivers who just drove away like it was nothing. We help these injured victims get justice and compensation.
You don’t have to deal with a hit-and-run driver alone. The team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you recover from your hit-and-run accident and protect your future.
Click to enlargeWe Help San Francisco Hit-and-Run Victims Like You
One of our clients was training for a charity bicycle event when she was hit by a distracted driver who fled the scene. She had severe injuries from landing on her elbows on the hard pavement. She ultimately received $250,000 for her accident.
In another bicyclist case, our client was making his daily 1-mile commute down Main Street on his beach cruiser when a pickup truck hauling a trailer ran over him and crushed his torso. The truck driver didn’t even notice! A witness had to tell him he’d hit the bicyclist, who won $65,000 after this horrible incident.
Another Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers client, a motorcyclist, received $100,000 after being struck by an impatient driver while trying to pull into his own driveway. The hit-and-run driver clipped him while passing too close, caused a violent crash, then just drove away.
After hit-and-run crashes like these, the team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers boldly represents injured victims and pursues insurance providers to get full, fast, and fair compensation. We’re a strong team of vehicle accident experts with more than 30 years of combined experience handling auto accident injury claims.
Why Do Hit-and-Run Accidents Happen?
For most of us, hit-and-run accidents are hard to comprehend. How could anyone hit another human being and leave them flailing in the road with severe injuries? It’s horrifying.
Researchers say there are common psychological events that cause people to leave the scene of a car accident. While these aren’t excuses for hit-and-runs, they do help us understand why people flee.
- Fear and flight – Some people go into “flight mode” after a crash and flee out of panic.
- Impulsiveness – Studies have found that a large proportion of hit-and-run drivers are men under age 25 who have poor impulse control.
- Drugs or alcohol – A study found that 42% of hit and run drivers were under the influence when they hit someone.
- Uninsured Motorist and/or criminal history – If someone knows they are driving without insurance or even a driver’s license, or if they have a warrant out for their arrest, they have an incentive to flee.
- Poor lighting or road conditions – Sometimes people don’t realize they hit someone – or claim they didn’t realize it – due to bad weather or low lighting.
Here’s something very important you should know about all of the explanations listed above. None of these excuses automatically makes it legal for someone to hit you and leave the scene of an accident!
No matter what type of explanation the hit-and-run driver gives, you can talk to a personal injury lawyer about pursuing a claim for compensation. Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you track down a hit-and-run driver, compile the evidence you need, and put the responsibility where it belongs so you can heal and recover.
Types of Hit and Run Accidents in San Francisco CA.
Hit-and-run accidents come in many forms here in San Francisco. Here are some of the scenarios we see where a driver hits someone then flees the scene of the accident to avoid responsibility.
- An impatient driver clips a motorcyclist or bicyclist while passing.
- A distracted Uber or Lyft driver hits you while zipping down the road.
- A driver is looking down at their cell phone and rams your car at a stoplight.
- While smoking marijuana, a driver swerves and hits you on the sidewalk.
- A confused tourist goes the wrong way down a San Francisco street and hits you.
- You’re using a crosswalk as a pedestrian, and a speeding driver runs over you.
- Late at night, you’re driving home and a drunk driver hits you and speeds away.
After a driver does something like this and drives off, you’ll be lucky to be alive. Get emergency help as soon as you can, make sure law enforcement officers are involved, and contact Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers to start the legal process of holding the hit-and-run driver responsible for your injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Passengers are at Risk in Hit and Run Accidents Too
Have you ever thought about what it’s like to be a passenger in a hit-and-run accident? Imagine that you’re an innocent passenger in an Uber accident where the Uber driver was drunk, hit someone, and drove away. Now you have injuries, plus you’re a witness to a DUI hit-and-run!
Another possibility is being the passenger in the car that was hit when the other driver leaves the scene of the crash. You’re injured, but who do you pursue for compensation? Your friend who was driving the car? The other driver if you can find them? One of their insurance companies?
A car accident attorney can help you sort through these tricky legal issues and will explain your legal options. Like any other injured victim, passengers have recourse for seeking compensation after accidents with injuries.
What Can I Do About a Hit and Run Accident?
After a hit and run crash, call 911 to report any injuries and notify the police that there is a hit-and-run driver out on the road somewhere. Try to take a deep breath and assess how you feel, accepting medical help if the medical personnel think you need it. Turning down medical assistance could harm your case later.
Gather any evidence from the scene you are able to access. Take photos and videos. If there are witnesses to the hit-and-run, collect their contact information because their point of view could be extremely helpful later when you try to collect compensation for your injuries.
Stay in contact with the police to see if they are pursuing the case as a criminal hit-and-run investigation – but even if they aren’t, you still have options through a civil action. Save all paperwork related to the accident, including your medical records, a police report, and communications with insurance companies.
Next, you can take action by contacting a car accident attorney who has experience with hit-and-run accidents. The team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers understands the proper way to handle a hit-and-run claim and will help you take the best steps to protect your health, your finances, and your future.
Who Pays for My Injuries in a Hit and Run Accident?
You shouldn’t have to pay for your own costs after a hit-and-run accident that wasn’t your fault. Often, a hit-and-run driver can be tracked down and ordered to pay for your medical bills after an accident that injures you.
Their insurance coverage may cover the cost or you can win a judgment against them personally. Either way, you may be able to recover enough compensation to take care of your medical bills and other damages.
It will be important to establish the cost of your medical bills and put a dollar value on your claim. In addition to your physical injuries, you may need psychological counseling and other aftercare to help you recover from the trauma of a hit-and-run accident. Car crashes are the #1 cause of PTSD in the U.S. and a hit-and-run can be particularly traumatizing for victims.
Why do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney for a Hit and Run Accident?
After a hit-and-run crash, it can be quite difficult to hold someone responsible for your injuries, even if they are located and charged criminally with their failure to remain at the scene of the accident. The insurance company may give you the runaround and try to avoid paying your medical bills.
The hit-and-run driver themselves may be under the scrutiny of the police and your injuries are probably the last thing on their mind. As you can see, you’ll need an attorney to help stand up for your rights and secure the financial compensation required to recover from the accident.
A hit and run accident attorney provides valuable services like:
Helping you track down the hit-and-run driver Explaining your legal options in a hit-and-run situation Locating and speaking to witnesses who saw what happened Investigating the circumstances of the crash Demanding compensation from the insurance company Helping you get your car repairs covered Getting your current and future medical bills paid Negotiating with difficult people Reducing your stress and letting you recover.
What Types of Hit and Run Crashes Do You Handle?
At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we focus on clients who are seriously injured by others in accidents, including hit-and-run crashes. Our expertise is securing high-dollar compensation for people whose lives have been totally shaken up by the negligence of others.
We can help with many types of hit-and-run accidents, including:
- Hit-and-run accidents between two motorists
- Pedestrian accidents that involve a hit-and-run driver
- Bicycle or e-bike vs. vehicle hit-and-run accidents
- Motorcycle hit-and-run accidents
- Hit-and-runs that involve Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies
- Drunk and drugged driving hit-and-runs
- Distracted driver hit-and-runs
If you have severe injuries from a California hit-and-run accident, including broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, or bodily damage that requires surgical intervention including plastic surgery, contact Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. We are one of the best-known names in San Francisco for these types of serious crashes.
Remember: The Insurance Adjuster is Not on Your Side!
If you’re able to track down the insurance company for the hit-and-run driver, the representative may try to pressure you into taking a quick payout to settle your claim. Watch out! This is a classic trick that is designed to get you to sign away your rights for a small sum.
Don’t sign anything until you talk to someone at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. The costs involved with a hit-and-run accident can be extremely high and a lowball offer could be a terrible deal for you.
An insurance adjuster’s #1 priority is getting you to accept a low offer and sign on the dotted line. Once you do that, you’ve probably missed your opportunity to sue, and they know it!
It wasn’t your fault that someone hurt you and fled the scene. Under California law, you can sue to recover the full cost of your medical bills, plus the cost of your vehicle, the value of your missed workdays, and compensation for your pain and suffering.
Of course, an insurance company always wants to pay as little as possible. Your attorney from Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers is focused on getting you more money, more resources to repair your car, and more compensation that helps you move forward successfully from your accident.
Hold the Hit-and-Run Driver Accountable Now!
After a hit-and-run accident, every moment counts. There could be valuable camera footage that might disappear at any time. Witnesses will have memories that fade. Act fast to gather this evidence before it’s lost forever. Remember there is a statute of limitations.
Remember, even if the police and prosecutor decide not to pursue charges against the hit-and-run driver, you can hold them responsible through the civil system. A hit-and-run driving accident claim puts money in your pocket when you need it most after an accident.
Time Is Not On Your Side!
“It will get better with time” doesn’t really apply to car injury claims. Witnesses disappear, memories get foggy, physical evidence is lost or modified, records become more difficult to acquire and over time there are several things you might to do reduce the strength and value of your car accident case.
While you take your time and put off the decision to hire an auto accident attorney, the other driver’s insurance company will not put off their job of belittling your case. Their initial approach may be friendly and helpful, but it can quickly turn to devious and detrimental to the value of your car accident claim. The more time you spend trying to deal directly with the insurance carrier as your own attorney, the more you can damage your chances of getting a fair settlement.
When you hire the San Francisco car accident attorney team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers the first thing we do is put the insurance company on notice that you are represented by counsel. That immediately stops the insurance adjuster’s calls, letters, emails and tricks from being directed at you. Our team will now handle all of this. You can get back to more important (and hopefully less stressful) things.
Call the Sally Morin Law Team for a free consultation at 877-380-8852 today!
Let's Get the Settlement You Deserve!
Why risk sabotaging your SF hit and run accident claim by trying to handle it alone?
If at any time within the first 30 days of signing with Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers you are not 100% satisfied with the quality and care of service you receive from our attorneys, we will cancel your contract at no cost so that you can seek different representation. No questions asked.
Not ready to hire a San Francisco auto accident lawyer yet?
Here are some things you MUST do in the meantime to avoid ruining your chances at a solid outcome.
Check out Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers' San Francisco Client Reviews and Testimonials
The San Francisco hit and run accident legal team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers gives unparalleled customer-service. You can see in our reviews all the reasons...
Why Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers has over 150 5-star ratings from California traffic accident clients:
- We only do serious traffic accidents. We limit our practice strictly to major injuries resulting from car, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents. This allows the team to focus on developments in a single area of law and develop an unmatched level of expertise.
- We don’t take every case. We don’t accept “nuisance claims” from potential clients who are motivated purely by financial gain or revenge. Our clients are people whose lives have been significantly disrupted by their injuries.
- We are the perfect lawyers for people who don’t want one. Our clients tend to be people who didn’t want a lawyer or at least never thought they would need to hire one. But, the severity of their accident gave them no choice. We won’t litigate unnecessarily or drag you to a trial you never wanted. We aren’t doing this for our own egos, we are doing this for you! If you’re going to be stuck with a personal injury lawyer, it may as well be us.
- We are attentive and responsive. You are not just a case number at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. With our “quality over quantity” approach to cases, you and your case will get the full attention it deserves. We WILL return your calls and emails and keep you updated on the status of your case.
- We collaborate with you when big decisions need to be made. It’s your case. We will check with you on important decisions like settlement offers, filing a lawsuit or going to trial.
- We increase your “net settlement” value. Not only will we work to get you the highest settlement possible, but we will also negotiate with your healthcare providers to reduce their charges, so you end up with more of your settlement money.If the idea of working with a customer-centric San Francisco hit and run accident lawyer who gets quick and solid results for their clients appeals to you, your next step is to get a FREE case evaluation from our San Francisco traffic accident team.
Kyle B.
San Francisco Accident Client
"Personal injury lawyers conjure up images of tacky billboards of a guy with greasy hair and an 800 number. Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers couldn't be any more different and is a breath of fresh air for an experience with any type of attorney."
Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers – Not Your Typical San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer
We’re not like other car accident attorneys in San Francisco. You won’t see us advertising on the sides of MUNI buses, freeway billboards or local TV and radio. Our reputation, effectiveness and 5-start customer service has San Francisco car accident victims contacting us daily. We are fortunate enough to be able to be really selective with who we choose to represent! We carefully hand-select each of our clients. That way, we can form the super solid attorney-client relationships.
Eryn L.
San Francisco Accident Client
"Sally and her staff are incredible. I was hit by a car on my scooter a year ago and Sally helped with all the legal troubles, medical bills ect that go along with an accident. I was hesitant to contact a lawyer but I am so thankful that I did and choose Sally. She takes great care in her clients, always emailing back quickly, checking in and laying out all the options for ones case. I was so impressed by her original demand letter as it was so detailed that I knew she truly listens. If you need a personal injury lawyer then look no further!"
We Get Results in Hit and Run Car Accident Settlements
Yes, we get results in hit-and-run cases! Here are just a few examples of situations where we found positive results for clients who received severe injuries in hit-and-run crashes.
- $250,000 for Hit-and-Run Charity Bicyclist
- $100,000 for Injured Motorcyclist Hit in His Driveway
- $65,000 for Crushed Hit-and-Run Beach Cruiser Bicyclist
- $45,000 for Oakland Hit-and-Run Bicyclist
We encourage you to read our real client stories that show how successful we have been with getting high-dollar results for injured people. At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re the real deal!
We live and work right here in San Francisco, just like you. Our reputation, effectiveness, and 5-star customer service has San Francisco car accident victims contacting us immediately after hit-and-run crashes. We carefully handpick our clients to focus on each person individually and provide the care and attention you deserve.
Are We Right For Your Hit and Run Accident Case?
After a hit-and-run accident, it can be hard to know who you can trust. Your faith in humanity has been shaken because someone left you behind, injured and traumatized.
At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the struggles that injured people face. We’re here to help you find the right path forward with the right attorney. Find out more here about whether Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers is the right firm to handle your case.
Are you wondering how the process works? You can learn more about the hit-and-run accident claims process and see what it’s like to choose Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. We are dedicated to making the process go smoothly for you.
After a hit and run accident, contact us to start the road to recovery and secure compensation for your injuries.
Not Sure What To Do Next?
Complete Guide on what to do after an accident in San Francisco
Some of what you will get in this guide:
- 1. What you can do immediately after an accident
- 2. How to get the help you need to recover after an accident
- 3. Helpful resources and contacts in San Francisco that you can reach out to
- 4. Understand your personal injury case and how you should handle it
Anna S.
"I was in a really hard situation and Carmen at Sally Morin helped me so very much. I am very low income and thought that my legal options were very limited. But Carmen helped me to understand my rights when I was plowed down by a drunk driver and I felt so much better knowing that I could get some assistance in resolving my case. I have two children and my accident has made it difficult for me to care for them. Carmen has made me feel like the future is bright and that I can get justice amidst this awful situation."
If you answered “yes", contact Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers' San Francisco auto accident team to see if we can help.
Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers' California Personal Injury Blog
Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers is an all female team of customer-focused, five-star California personal injury attorneys who exclusively handle traffic accident settlement negotiation. They have California offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Oakland.
Kyle B.
San Francisco Accident Client
"Personal injury lawyers conjure up images of tacky billboards of a guy with greasy hair and an 800 number. Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers couldn't be any more different and is a breath of fresh air for an experience with any type of attorney."
Eryn L.
San Francisco Accident Client
"Sally and her staff are incredible. I was hit by a car on my scooter a year ago and Sally helped with all the legal troubles, medical bills ect that go along with an accident. I was hesitant to contact a lawyer but I am so thankful that I did and choose Sally. She takes great care in her clients, always emailing back quickly, checking in and laying out all the options for ones case. I was so impressed by her original demand letter as it was so detailed that I knew she truly listens. If you need a personal injury lawyer then look no further!"
Anna S.
"I was in a really hard situation and Carmen at Sally Morin helped me so very much. I am very low income and thought that my legal options were very limited. But Carmen helped me to understand my rights when I was plowed down by a drunk driver and I felt so much better knowing that I could get some assistance in resolving my case. I have two children and my accident has made it difficult for me to care for them. Carmen has made me feel like the future is bright and that I can get justice amidst this awful situation."