What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Kern County
Imagine this: you’re on SR 99 trying to beat rush hour traffic, when suddenly another car cuts too closely to you, leading to an impact. You’re pushed onto the other lane, perhaps even hitting the divider, and the other car immediately speeds up and disappears into the flow of traffic.
You’ve just suffered a hit-and-run accident, and you’re not sure what to do. Kern County is the site for many hit-and-runs, leaving vulnerable drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians injured and confused.
Keep reading to learn more about what to do after a hit-and-run in Kern County, and how the Kern County personal injury lawyers at BD&J can help your case.
Key Takeaways
- Hit-and-run accidents occur when another driver involved in an accident fails to stop, exchange information, or help the other involved parties
- In the last 2 years, Kern County has been the site of over 1,572 misdemeanor and felony hit-and-run accidents, according to UC Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS)
- After a hit-and-run, you should avoid chasing the driver, pull over to a safe area, and immediately call 911
- Kern County personal injury lawyers can represent you in a hit-and-run claim for compensation
Why do Hit-and-Run Accidents Happen in Kern County?
Hit-and run accidents in Kern County can happen due to various reasons, including:
Driving Under the Influence
Oftentimes, a hit-and-run will happen when another driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving under the influence can mean slowed reaction times, blurry vision, impaired motor skills, and overall erratic driving.
Not Having Valid Documentation
Some drivers involved in a collision will immediately flee because they either don’t have a valid driver’s license or valid insurance. This may be a driver who had their license suspended or revoked due to previous driving violations or is underage.
Fear of Legal Consequences
Drivers who hit-and-run may be scared of facing legal penalties, especially if this isn’t their first offense. They may want to avoid any contact with law enforcement and also want to refrain from being identified if they have any outstanding warrants.
Shock, Panic, or Adrenaline
Immediate stress and lack of rationality may make any driver run from the scene of an accident. Severe guilt and panic, especially if they were driving distracted or are a new driver, can also lead some drivers to run away from an accident.
Kern County Hit-and-Runs are Constant
Kern County hit-and-runs show an alarming frequency. Taking a look at some of the driving data around Kern County can give us an idea of the frequency of driving behaviors that influence hit-and-runs.
- A nationwide survey ranked Bakersfield as one of the top cities with the highest DUI risks (LendingTree)
- In the last 3 years, 295 vehicle accidents in Bakersfield have resulted in fatal or serious pedestrian injuries (TIMS)
- 915 crashes in Kern County resulting in injuries or fatalities were related to speeding in 2023 (OTS)
- Kern County sees the most hit-and-run accidents on Saturday nights, according to TIMS
What Can I Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
After a hit-and-run accident, you may feel overwhelmed and anxious, and unsure of what to do. Take a breath, and consider these next steps for the minutes, days, and weeks after your accident occurs.
5 Minutes After Your Accident
Do: Pull over to a parking lot or other part of the street that’s safe and away from oncoming traffic. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries and call 911 to report the accident immediately.
Do not go after the other driver, as this can escalate to dangerous situations like another accident or even a violent confrontation.
25 Minutes After Your Accident
Do: Try to give the responding police all the information about the other vehicle that you may remember. Talk with other possible witnesses or involved drivers to see if they have any details and obtain their information. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, your vehicle, and any close-ups of damage.
Do not avoid getting a police report or avoid going to the hospital even if you don’t feel any pain or other injury symptoms.
5 Hours After Your Accident
Do: Follow the diagnostic and treatment advice of a medical professional. Obtain copies of your medical documentation for this visit and call your insurance to file a claim either through uninsured motorist coverage or your own collision coverage.
Do not post anything on social media about the accident, especially if you’re looking into your legal options.
5 Days After the Accident
Do: Sit down and consult with Kern County personal injury lawyers as soon as you’re able to. Bring all the evidence available at the moment, including the photos and videos from the accident, contact information, and the other driver’s details.
Do not accept any insurance offer without speaking to an attorney. Continue to avoid posting on social media about the accident, and when you consult with an attorney, make sure to not keep out any details of the accident.
5 Weeks After the Accident
Do: Continue to keep up with the progress of your claim after an accident. If the other driver is found while you have a claim against your insurance, the insurance company may now pursue compensation through their insurance. If you haven’t filed a claim yet, you can file one after the driver is identified against them or their insurance company if they’re insured.
Do not pay out of pocket for accident costs from a hit-and-run caused by someone else’s negligence.
How Can Kern County Personal Injury Lawyers Help Me After an Accident?
Hit-and-runs can leave behind serious injuries that require a long period of recovery, such as traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue damage, whiplash, and broken bones. During your recovery, you may not be so ready to navigate the legal landscape of a personal injury claim after a hit-and-run.
This is where Kern County personal injury lawyers can help. An attorney can aid you with:
- Providing a consultation about your claim, answering any initial doubts and questions you may have
- Filing the initial presentation
- Helping to collect evidence
- Interview expert witnesses who can testify in accident reconstruction and injury severity
- Going through the discovery process
- Negotiating for a fair settlement on your behalf
- Communicating with the other involved parties
You don’t have to go through the legal civil claims process alone. Instead, call a personal injury attorney to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Any California Laws that Cover Hit-and-Runs?
Definitely. California Vehicle Code 20002 requires drivers who strike a piece of property to stop and exchange information with the other driver or property owner, and if the other property owner is not present, the driver must leave a note with their name, address, and other identifying information to be contacted.
California Vehicle Code 20003 requires drivers involved in a vehicle accident that results in injury or death to pull over and exchange all information, including their current address and vehicle registration number. Hit-and-runs involving property are considered misdemeanors, while hit-and-runs involving injury or death may often be felonies.
Can I Still Present a Lawsuit if I was Partially at Fault for an Accident?
Absolutely, California is a comparative negligence state, which means that drivers who had some fault in an accident can still recover compensation. The compensation is simply reduced by the percentage of fault the plaintiff is found to have.
How Long Do I Have to File a Hit-and-Run Claim?
You have 2 years to file a hit-and-run claim for your injuries in California.
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover After a Hit-and-Run?
You may be able to recover compensation for current and future medical expenses, property damage, loss of wages, and further physical or psychological therapy as needed.
How Can I Recover Lost Wages After My Accident?
To recover lost wages after a hit-and-run accident, you’ll want to show your attorney pay stubs verifying your work position and income, as well as a note by your medical provider verifying the time off work you’ll be taking.
It could also help, if possible, to have your employer write a letter verifying your work position, hours worked per week, and your absence of work.
Do I Have to go to the Hospital After an Accident?
Yes, you have to go to the hospital after an accident even if you don’t have any symptoms of injuries. Some injuries may take longer to present pain and discomfort, so waiting to go to the hospital can be an impactful mistake.
Why Should I Call BD&J for My Kern County Accident?
BD&J is a leading law firm in California, with more than 20 years of experience fighting for injured drivers and their families. If you are looking for a compassionate team of attorneys who will fight tirelessly for your rights to compensation and have recovered more than $3 billion* for clients, then you can count on the BD&J law firm!
Do BD&J Lawyers Speak Spanish?
Yes, our Kern County personal injury lawyers speak English, Spanish, Farsi, Armenian, Russian, Hebrew, and more.
How To Obtain a Police Report After a Hit-and-Run in Kern County
A police report can be a helpful piece of evidence for your claim. Obtain a copy of a police report in Kern County with the following information.
- Report the accident to the police. – You must first report the accident when it happens as timely as possible. This can make it easier for you to provide details of the car and the driver while they’re fresh in your mind.
- Obtain the police report in person with a valid ID. – You can visit either the Kern County Sheriff’s Office or the respective police department for the city the accident was reported in, such as the Bakersfield Police Department or California City Police Department. It’s typical for an ID to be needed to ask for a report copy.
- Fill out an online form. – Use the online portal for the Kern’s County Sheriff’s Office or this portal for the Bakersfield Police Department. Other police departments, like the Delano Police Department, typically require in-person report requests.
- Show the report to the Kern County personal injury lawyers you’re working with. – A police report can be an extremely vital piece of evidence for your hit-and-run accident claim. Be sure to provide a copy of this report to your attorneys as your claim begins.
Kern County Can Trust BD&J Attorneys for Experience and Care
Hit-and-runs can be overwhelming, but seeking justice against a driver who fled or denied insurance claims doesn’t have to be. Kern County can trust the BD&J attorneys to fight for their rights to compensation after an unfortunate accident.
Following the proper steps after an accident, like reporting the accident to the police, going to the hospital for medical intervention, and avoiding chasing down the driver can be essential to your wellbeing and also help your claim.
Contact BD&J Kern County personal injury lawyers now by calling us or completing our online form. Our team is available 24/7 to help you in the fight for justice, and we charge no upfront fees* until we win your case.
Call BD&J personal injury lawyers in Kern County today!