Do I Need a Lawyer After a Hit-and-Run in Lake Balboa?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq.

Local Lake Balboa Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. A Woodland Hills native, he graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School and knows the Lake Balboa community from years of personal and professional experience.

Being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is one of the most frustrating and frightening experiences a person can have. One moment you are driving on Victory Blvd or walking near Lake Balboa Park, and the next you are injured and the driver who caused it has disappeared. If this happened to you in Lake Balboa, hiring a lawyer is not just helpful, it may be essential to recovering any compensation at all.

Why Hit-and-Run Cases Require a Lawyer

Hit-and-run cases are fundamentally different from typical car accidents. When the at-fault driver flees the scene, you face two major challenges: identifying the driver and finding insurance coverage to pay for your injuries. Both of these challenges require legal expertise to navigate effectively.

Without a lawyer, you may not realize that you have options even if the driver is never found. You may not know how to access your own insurance coverage for a hit-and-run, or you may accept a low settlement from your insurance company without understanding the true value of your claim.

How LAPD Investigates Hit-and-Runs in Lake Balboa

LAPD responds to hit-and-run accidents on Lake Balboa streets, while CHP handles hit-and-runs on freeways. Filing a police report is a critical first step. The investigation may include:

• Reviewing traffic and surveillance camera footage from businesses along Victory Blvd, Balboa Blvd, and Burbank Blvd
• Canvassing the area for witnesses
• Analyzing debris left at the scene to identify the vehicle make and model
• Checking cameras at nearby intersections and the Sepulveda Basin area
• Following up on tips from the public

While LAPD investigates the criminal aspect of a hit-and-run, your attorney conducts a separate civil investigation focused on identifying the driver for purposes of your injury claim. In many cases, an attorney's independent investigation uncovers evidence that law enforcement does not pursue.

Insurance Coverage for Hit-and-Run Victims

Even if the driver who hit you is never identified, you may still have insurance coverage available through your own policy:

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: California insurance companies are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage, and most Lake Balboa residents carry it. This coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Your UM policy essentially steps into the shoes of the missing driver's insurance.

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage: If you carry MedPay on your auto policy, it can cover your medical bills regardless of who was at fault and regardless of whether the other driver is identified.

Health insurance: Your personal health insurance can cover medical treatment at Valley Presbyterian Hospital and other providers while your injury claim is being pursued.

A Lake Balboa hit-and-run accident lawyer will review your insurance policies and identify every source of available coverage.

What If the Driver Is Found?

If the hit-and-run driver is eventually identified, either through the police investigation or your attorney's efforts, you can pursue a claim directly against that driver and their insurance company. Hit-and-run drivers face both criminal penalties and civil liability. The criminal case is handled by the district attorney, while your attorney handles the separate civil case for damages.

Drivers who flee the scene often do so because they are uninsured, have a suspended license, or are impaired. If the driver is uninsured, your UM coverage may still be the primary source of compensation.

Common Hit-and-Run Locations in Lake Balboa

Hit-and-run accidents in Lake Balboa frequently occur at:

• The intersection of Victory Blvd and Balboa Blvd
• Parking lots along Burbank Blvd and Victory Blvd
• Residential streets near Lake Balboa Park and Woodley Park
• Near the Sepulveda Basin where drivers may use less-traveled routes to flee
• Late at night on Balboa Blvd when traffic is lighter and witnesses are few

Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run in Lake Balboa

• Call 911 immediately and report the hit-and-run to LAPD
• Try to remember as many details as possible about the vehicle: color, make, model, license plate, and direction of travel
• Look for witnesses and get their contact information
• Check for nearby surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident
• Seek medical attention at Valley Presbyterian Hospital or another facility
• Contact your insurance company to report the accident
• Hire a hit-and-run attorney before accepting any settlement offer

Filing a Claim at Van Nuys Courthouse West

If your hit-and-run case requires litigation, whether against the identified driver or against your own insurance company for UM benefits, the case will be filed at Van Nuys Courthouse West. Our attorneys are experienced litigators who know how to present hit-and-run cases effectively.

Contact L&F Brown for a Free Consultation

What to Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run in Lake Balboa

A hit-and-run on Balboa Blvd, Victory Blvd, Vanowen St, and Haskell Ave requires fast action. If you are physically able, try to note as much detail about the fleeing vehicle as possible: make, model, color, license plate (even a partial plate helps), and the direction the vehicle traveled. If there are witnesses, ask them what they saw and get their contact information.

Call 911 immediately. LAPD handles hit-and-run investigations on city streets, while CHP handles incidents on the freeways. A police report is essential for both the criminal investigation and your civil claim. California Vehicle Code Section 20002 makes leaving the scene of an accident a criminal offense, and law enforcement takes these cases seriously.

Seek medical attention at Valley Presbyterian Hospital even if you think your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask pain for hours after a crash. The medical record from your first visit establishes the connection between the accident and your injuries, which is essential for your insurance claim.

Even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified, you may still have options for compensation. Your own auto insurance policy likely includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which applies to hit-and-run accidents. California requires insurers to offer UM coverage, and most drivers carry it. An attorney can help you file and negotiate the UM claim, which involves dealing with your own insurance company, not a friendly process despite what you might expect.

A hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling helpless, but you have options. L&F Brown has helped hit-and-run victims throughout Lake Balboa and the San Fernando Valley recover compensation for their injuries. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. Visit our Lake Balboa page or call us today.