Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys, APC help people in Thousand Oaks when they’re in a car accident. Even under the best of circumstances, the aftermath of a car accident is a confusing time. But when the other person leaves the scene, it only adds to your stress and uncertainty–as well as your pain, medical bills, and other losses. Our team can help you through it. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
Should I Get a Lawyer For a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Most car accidents involve an exchange of information between drivers, which makes starting an insurance claim relatively simple. A hit-and-run is different. You’re dealing with the same injuries, vehicle damage, and stress as any other collision—plus the added challenge of not knowing who caused it. This is where having a lawyer on your side can make a real difference. Our team at Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys can:
- Explain your legal rights and possible paths forward after a hit-and-run.
- Investigate the accident to find the driver or figure out if someone else may be responsible.
- Handle your insurance claim, even if it means working through your own policy.
- If the driver is located, file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
Hit-and-run accidents in Thousand Oaks can create unique roadblocks for you and your family. We understand these challenges and have helped many people get the financial support they need to move forward.
What Are My Options For Filing a Claim After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The first thing you need to know about a hit-and-run accident in Thousand Oaks is that your rights are the same as in any other car accident—but the process to actually get financial support is going to be more complicated. The driver who hit you is still legally responsible for your damages, but without their name, contact, and insurance information, you can’t make a direct claim against them.
That often means turning to your own insurance for help. Here’s how that usually works:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage – California doesn’t require drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage, but most Thousand Oaks drivers have it. In a hit-and-run, the at-fault driver is treated as “uninsured,” so this coverage can step in to pay for your losses.
- Collision coverage – This policy covers repairs to your vehicle no matter who caused the crash. While it’s often more expensive to carry, it can be a lifeline after a hit-and-run because it doesn’t require identifying the other driver first.
- Health insurance – If you or your passengers are hurt, your health insurance can help cover medical treatment, regardless of fault. This is especially important for immediate care after an accident.
Once the insurance details are worked out, you can move forward with a claim to recover damages such as:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Long-term care expenses
- Lost wages or reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life or companionship
- Funeral and burial costs in fatal cases
- Punitive damages in extreme negligence cases
A hit-and-run is both a civil and a criminal matter. Local police will investigate to try to identify the driver, and the penalties they face increase if your injuries are serious. Keep in mind—you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a civil claim in California.
Who Else Could Be Responsible For a Hit-and-Run Accident?
As troubling as they are, figuring out liability in a hit-and-run accident in Thousand Oaks isn’t all that difficult–it’s going to primarily fall on the other driver. Understanding why someone might leave the scene won’t undo the harm they’ve caused, but it can shed light on what you’re dealing with. Most of the time, a hit-and-run happens because of:
- Fear of legal trouble or trying to avoid getting arrested, especially if they were driving under the influence, on a suspended license, or had outstanding warrants.
- Not realizing they hit you, which is especially common in busier spots like the on-ramps to the 101 or crowded shopping areas along Moorpark Road.
- Not having insurance or panicking and fleeing to avoid paying for damages.
No matter why the other driver left, it doesn’t change their culpability for what happened. But like any other accident, there are others that could share some of the liability:
- Another driver who caused the chain of events leading to your crash.
- The vehicle’s owner if they let someone unsafe or unlicensed drive.
- A car or parts manufacturer if a defect—like faulty brakes—played a role.
- A government agency if poor road conditions or missing signage contributed. For example, a downed stop sign at a busy Thousand Oaks intersection could be a factor.
Finding out exactly who’s responsible takes investigation skills and experience, which our team has a great deal of. The goal is to find every possible source of financial support so you’re not left covering costs on your own.
What Information Can Help Me in a Hit-and-Run Accident Claim?
More so than perhaps any other kind of car accident claim, one involving a hit-and-run puts you at a huge disadvantage when it comes to information you have at your disposal. Fortunately, though, there’s still a great deal of information that you can get to help you, like:
- License plate details – Even part of a plate number can help police find the car. Write it down right away, ask witnesses if they saw it, and check nearby cameras. We can request footage before it’s erased.
- Police accident report – This official record helps with insurance claims. Call 911 so deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office or CHP can respond to the scene. You can request a copy online or in person later.
- Witness information – Bystanders may have seen details you missed. Get their names and phone numbers, and if possible, record a quick statement while it’s fresh in their mind. We can follow up later.
- Traffic or dashcam video – Footage can clearly show the crash and the fleeing car. Save your dashcam files right away and check with nearby businesses or homes for camera footage. We can also request traffic camera recordings before they’re deleted.
Again, while this information is available, it’s not going to be easy to get. Your focus–especially right after the accident–should be on getting help from EMTs and police. From there, you can count on our team for guidance and support.
Hit-and-Run Victims in Thousand Oaks Can Count on Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys
A hit-and-run can leave you feeling shocked, angry, and unsure of what to do next. One moment you’re driving through Thousand Oaks—maybe on Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks Boulevard, or heading toward the 101—and the next, the other driver is gone. You’re left with the damage, the bills, and a lot of unanswered questions.
You don’t have to go through this alone. At Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys, we take the time to listen to your story, explain your options in plain language, and handle the tough parts so you can focus on getting better. Whether it’s working with your insurance company, tracking down evidence, or exploring every possible source of financial help, you can count on our team. Set up a free consultation today to get started.