Who Pays After a Hit-and-Run in Canoga Park?
One of the most urgent questions after a hit-and-run in Canoga Park is: who is going to pay for my injuries? The driver who hit you is gone. You have medical bills from your trip to West Hills Hospital, you are missing work, and you are in pain. The good news is that even when the driver who struck you on Sherman Way, Topanga Canyon Blvd, or Roscoe Blvd cannot be found, there are multiple sources of compensation available to you.
At L&F Brown, our Canoga Park hit-and-run accident attorneys identify every available source of recovery and fight to get you the compensation you need.
Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage
The most important source of compensation in most hit-and-run cases is your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. California law requires auto insurance companies to offer UM coverage to all policyholders. If you accepted this coverage (and most California drivers carry it), your UM policy covers you when you are injured by an unidentified hit-and-run driver.
UM coverage pays for the same types of damages you would recover from the at-fault driver's insurance:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical treatment
The coverage limit depends on the UM limits on your policy, which commonly range from $15,000 to $250,000 or more per person. Some drivers carry UM coverage with limits matching their liability coverage.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
If you carry medical payments coverage (MedPay) on your auto policy, this provides an additional source of payment for your medical bills. MedPay covers medical expenses regardless of fault, meaning it pays out even before your UM claim is resolved. MedPay coverage typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, and it can help bridge the gap while your UM claim is being processed.
Your Health Insurance
Your health insurance will cover treatment for your hit-and-run injuries just as it would for any other medical condition. This is important for ensuring you receive treatment without delay, especially if your UM claim takes time to resolve. Be aware that your health insurer may assert a subrogation right, meaning they may seek reimbursement from any settlement you receive.
The Hit-and-Run Driver's Insurance (If Identified)
If the hit-and-run driver is later identified through investigation, surveillance footage, or tips from witnesses, you can pursue a claim directly against that driver's auto insurance. This is often the best outcome in a hit-and-run case because the at-fault driver's liability policy may provide additional coverage beyond your UM limits.
Our attorneys work with LAPD and private investigators to track down hit-and-run drivers. Evidence that can lead to identification includes:
- Surveillance camera footage from businesses along the accident route
- Traffic camera footage from intersections
- Paint transfer and debris from the vehicles
- Witness descriptions and partial license plate numbers
- Social media posts and tips from the public
Crime Victim Compensation
Hit-and-run is a crime in California. As a victim of a crime, you may be eligible for compensation through the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB). This program can cover medical expenses, lost wages, mental health counseling, and other costs. The program has its own application process and limitations, but it provides another potential source of recovery, particularly for victims without UM coverage.
Third-Party Liability
In some hit-and-run cases, a third party may share liability. For example, if a bar or restaurant in Canoga Park over-served alcohol to the hit-and-run driver, a dram shop claim may be available. If a dangerous road condition on Topanga Canyon Blvd or Roscoe Blvd contributed to the accident, a government liability claim against the City of Los Angeles or Caltrans may be possible.
What If You Do Not Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
If you do not carry UM coverage, your options are more limited but not eliminated. Your health insurance will still cover medical treatment. You may qualify for California Victim Compensation. And if the hit-and-run driver is identified, you can pursue a claim against their insurance. Our attorneys also explore any third-party liability theories that may provide additional sources of recovery.
Do Not Wait to Act
Time is critical in hit-and-run cases. Surveillance footage is overwritten quickly. Witnesses forget details. Evidence at the scene degrades. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of identifying the driver and maximizing your recovery.
Contact L&F Brown After a Canoga Park Hit-and-Run
Uninsured Motorist Coverage After a Canoga Park Hit-and-Run
When a hit-and-run driver on Topanga Canyon Blvd, Sherman Way, Roscoe Blvd, and Canoga Ave cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes the primary source of compensation. California law treats hit-and-run accidents as uninsured motorist claims, allowing you to recover from your own policy.
Many people do not realize they have UM coverage or how it works. California Insurance Code Section 11580.2 requires all auto insurers to offer UM coverage, and most policies include it unless the policyholder explicitly rejected it in writing. Check your declarations page or call your agent to confirm your coverage limits.
Filing a UM claim is not as simple as reporting the accident and receiving a check. Your own insurance company assigns an adjuster who investigates the claim and evaluates your injuries, just as the at-fault driver's insurer would. That adjuster's goal is to pay as little as possible. Having an attorney levels the playing field and ensures your own insurer treats your claim fairly.
If you and your insurer cannot agree on a fair settlement, California law provides for binding arbitration of UM disputes. This process takes place outside of Van Nuys Courthouse West but follows formal legal procedures. An attorney experienced in UM arbitration knows how to present your case effectively and push for full value of your injuries and losses.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage After a Canoga Park Hit-and-Run
When a hit-and-run driver on Topanga Canyon Blvd, Sherman Way, Roscoe Blvd, and Canoga Ave cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes the primary source of compensation. California law treats hit-and-run accidents as uninsured motorist claims, allowing you to recover from your own policy.
Many people do not realize they have UM coverage or how it works. California Insurance Code Section 11580.2 requires all auto insurers to offer UM coverage, and most policies include it unless the policyholder explicitly rejected it in writing. Check your declarations page or call your agent to confirm your coverage limits.
Filing a UM claim is not as simple as reporting the accident and receiving a check. Your own insurance company assigns an adjuster who investigates the claim and evaluates your injuries, just as the at-fault driver's insurer would. That adjuster's goal is to pay as little as possible. Having an attorney levels the playing field and ensures your own insurer treats your claim fairly.
If you and your insurer cannot agree on a fair settlement, California law provides for binding arbitration of UM disputes. This process takes place outside of Van Nuys Courthouse West but follows formal legal procedures. An attorney experienced in UM arbitration knows how to present your case effectively and push for full value of your injuries and losses.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run anywhere in Canoga Park, call L&F Brown for a free consultation. We identify every available source of compensation and fight to recover the maximum amount for your injuries. You pay nothing unless we win. Call today.
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