San Mateo Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
They Didn't Stop. You Still Have Options.
When a driver flees after injuring you, it can feel like there’s no one left to pay. There usually is. We help people hurt in San Mateo hit-and-run crashes find the driver where possible, and claim the coverage they already have when not.
$75+ million
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unless we win
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Drivers Flee for a Reason. That Reason Can Help Your Case.
Any crash is stressful. A hit-and-run is worse: the driver who hurt you didn’t even stop to see if you were alive. Now you face medical bills, a damaged car, and time off work, with no name and no insurance card to show for it.
Most drivers who run do so out of fear, and often because they had something else to hide. Hit-and-run drivers commonly face additional charges such as:
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Driving without insurance
Driving with a suspended license
Driving a stolen vehicle
Reckless driving or texting while driving
Those same facts shape your claim. They explain why the driver ran, they can support a stronger case if the driver is found, and they’re exactly why your own policy’s hit-and-run coverage exists. We’ll work out which path gets you paid.
Steps to Take After a Driver Leaves the Scene
Get medical care for anyone who's hurt.
That comes first, always. Then keep every record from the ambulance onward.
Call the police, even if the driver is long gone.
An officer’s incident report is the start of any search for the driver, and your insurer will expect one promptly.
Capture what you can about the fleeing car.
A description, a direction of travel, and even part of a license plate can lead police to the driver.
Ask bystanders what they saw.
Someone may have caught the plate, the make and color, or a clear look at the driver. Get their names and numbers.
Photograph the damage and your injuries.
Photos and video of your car, the scene, and any visible injuries all support your claim.
Talk to a lawyer before you file with your insurer.
Hit-and-run claims under your own policy come with conditions and short notice periods. We make sure yours is filed correctly and on time.
Where the Money Comes From After a Hit-and-Run
The fleeing driver's insurance, if they're found and insured
Their liability coverage pays for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage, the same as any at-fault crash.
Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
California treats a hit-and-run driver like an uninsured driver. UM coverage can pay for injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering, provided its conditions are met, such as a prompt police report and timely notice to your insurer.
Med Pay
If your policy includes medical payments coverage, it can pay medical bills whether or not the driver is ever found.
Restitution through the criminal case
If the driver is caught and convicted, the court may order them to repay some of your losses, in addition to your civil claim.
Two Paths to Recovery, and We Pursue Both
Path one: find the driver. Police may track down the driver from the incident report, but they have many cases. We run our own inquiries alongside theirs: witnesses, nearby cameras, the vehicle description, and any partial plate. If the driver is found, we pursue their liability insurance, and the other laws they broke that day can strengthen the case against them.
Path two: use the coverage you already have. If the driver is never identified, or turns out to be uninsured, the claim goes through your own insurance. Most auto policies cover hit-and-run crashes through uninsured motorist coverage, and Med Pay can help with medical bills regardless of fault.
Your own insurer becomes the other side in that second path, and it will scrutinize your claim like any other. We document your injuries, your losses, and the evidence of the hit-and-run so the claim holds up.
What California Law Says About Leaving the Scene
Drivers must stop
California requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who’s injured. Fleeing is a crime.
Misdemeanor or felony
Leaving a crash that caused only vehicle damage is a misdemeanor. When someone is seriously injured or killed, the driver can be charged with a felony.
The prosecution is not your compensation
Criminal charges punish the driver. Your injury claim is separate, and you can recover without an arrest or conviction.
Short notice periods, two-year lawsuit limit
Lawsuits generally must be filed within two years, but hit-and-run claims under your own policy require much faster action: a police report within about 24 hours and notice to your insurer within about 30 days.
What Our Clients Say
From start to finish Jimin has been on my case and very informative about where they are in the process of things... every time it seems like I thought about…
Dominick M.
As this was my first time being in a car accident, I was distraught and did not have much knowledge regarding legal fairs such as what attorney would best suit…
Jena J.
Jimin Oh is not only an excellent and professional lawyer but she is also very kind, understanding and easy to talk to. Jimin was very helpful and patient in answering…
Katie J.
San Mateo Hit and Run Accident FAQs
Why do drivers flee after a crash?
Most often out of fear, frequently because they were drunk or high, uninsured, driving on a suspended license, or in a stolen car. Those facts don’t excuse leaving; they tend to make the driver’s position worse if they’re found.
Does my car insurance cover a hit-and-run?
Most policies do, usually through uninsured motorist coverage, which treats the hit-and-run driver as uninsured. Med Pay, if you carry it, can help with medical bills too. We review your policy and any others that may apply.
I didn't get a plate number. Should I still call the police?
Yes. Report the crash even if you have no information about the other driver. The officer’s report may help track the driver down, and your insurer will expect a prompt report before paying a hit-and-run claim.
What if the police find the driver?
Then we pursue the driver’s liability insurance directly. If the driver is convicted, the criminal court may also order restitution.
What if the driver was uninsured when they're caught?
Your uninsured motorist coverage can still pay. Being found doesn’t make an uninsured driver’s missing coverage appear; your own policy fills that gap.
How quickly do I need to act?
Very quickly. A police report is expected within about 24 hours and insurer notice within about 30 days for a hit-and-run claim under your policy. Lawsuits generally must be filed within two years.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, so you pay a fee only if we recover for you.
Get Your Free, Confidential Case Review, 24/7
Every day after a hit-and-run, the trail to the driver gets colder and your notice deadlines get closer. Call now or send the form; we respond fast, 24/7, in English, Spanish, or Korean. Your consultation is free and confidential. No fee unless we win.
Call (408) 256-2871Free Case Review
Solution Now Law Firm
1253 Park Ave
San Jose, CA 95126
Hablamos español · 한국어 상담 가능
