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Every year, California records nearly 130,000 hit-and-run accidents — and the state has the worst fatal hit-and-run rate in the nation. If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run in Fullerton, you’re not alone, and you’re not without options. Even when the other driver flees, there are legal pathways to recover compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and vehicle damage.

As a personal injury firm that has represented thousands of accident victims across Orange County, Sky Law Group has helped hit-and-run victims in Fullerton fight back against unfair outcomes. Here’s what you need to know if this happens to you.

Fullerton’s Hit-and-Run Problem: By the Numbers

Fullerton is one of the busiest and most accident-prone cities in Orange County. According to California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) data, nearly 967 hit-and-run accidents have been reported in the Fullerton area in recent years. The city’s dense mix of freeway traffic from the 91 and 57 freeways, a large university population of over 40,000 students at Cal State Fullerton, and high-traffic corridors like Harbor Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue, and Orangethorpe Avenue create conditions where hit-and-run incidents are especially common.

Statewide, the numbers are alarming. According to AAA, California recorded 337 fatal hit-and-run crashes in 2023 — a 60% increase over the prior decade. California’s hit-and-run fatality rate of 10.5% is nearly double the national average of 6.3%. Hit-and-run rates spike after dark, peaking at 17% of all fatal crashes between 9 and 10 p.m. — the hours when Fullerton’s bar and restaurant district along Harbor Boulevard is busiest. Rideshare accidents from Uber and Lyft pickups in this area are also on the rise.

What Qualifies as a Hit and Run in California?

Under California law, any driver involved in an accident is legally required to stop, exchange information, and offer reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured. When a driver fails to do this, they have committed a hit and run — regardless of who was at fault for the crash itself.

California has two hit-and-run statutes:

• Vehicle Code §20002 — Misdemeanor Hit and Run: Applies when there is only property damage (no injuries). Penalties include up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail.
• Vehicle Code §20001 — Felony Hit and Run: Applies when someone is injured or killed. Penalties include fines of $1,000 to $10,000 and up to four years in state prison, with enhanced sentences if the victim suffered serious injury or death.

If the driver who hit you is later identified, they face both criminal prosecution and civil liability — meaning you can sue them for the full value of your damages, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage.

What to Do Immediately After a Hit and Run in Fullerton

1. Stay at the Scene and Call 911

Do not chase the fleeing driver. Call 911 immediately and report the accident to the Fullerton Police Department. The police report is critical evidence for your insurance claim and any future lawsuit. Give the responding officer as much detail as you can about the other vehicle — make, model, color, license plate (even a partial plate helps), the direction they fled, and a description of the driver if you saw them.

2. Document Everything

Use your phone to photograph the damage to your vehicle, any injuries you’ve sustained, the road conditions, skid marks, debris, and the surrounding area (including any nearby businesses that might have surveillance cameras). If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. Witness testimony can be the key to identifying the driver who fled.

3. Look for Surveillance Cameras

Many hit-and-run cases are solved through surveillance footage. Fullerton’s busy commercial corridors — particularly along Harbor Boulevard, Chapman Avenue, and Orangethorpe Avenue — are lined with businesses, gas stations, and traffic cameras. Ask nearby businesses if they have exterior cameras that may have captured the incident. Time is critical here: most surveillance systems overwrite footage within 24 to 72 hours.

4. Seek Medical Attention Right Away

Even if you think your injuries are minor, see a doctor within 24 hours. Many serious injuries — whiplash, concussions, herniated discs, and internal bleeding — don’t produce immediate symptoms. Fullerton has several nearby options including St. Jude Medical Center on Harbor Boulevard and multiple urgent care facilities. Keep all medical records and receipts — you’ll need them to support your claim.

5. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Notify your own insurance company as soon as possible. In California, you generally have ten days to report an accident involving injury or property damage over $750 to the DMV. When filing with your insurer, stick to the facts and don’t speculate. Better yet, consult with an attorney before making detailed statements.

How to Recover Compensation When the Driver Is Never Found

This is the question that worries hit-and-run victims the most: “What if they never catch the other driver?” The good news is that even if the driver is never identified, you may still have options to recover compensation.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

Under California law, hit-and-run drivers are legally treated as uninsured motorists. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy — which California insurers are required by law to offer every policyholder — you can file a claim under your own policy to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the hit-and-run.

Important requirement: California Insurance Code §11580.2 requires actual physical contact between your vehicle and the unknown vehicle for UM coverage to apply. This rule exists to prevent fraudulent claims. If your car was struck, you qualify. If the other driver caused you to swerve and crash without making contact, the claim becomes more complex — but not impossible with the right legal strategy.

Collision Coverage

If you have collision coverage, it will pay for the damage to your vehicle regardless of who was at fault and whether the other driver is identified. However, you will need to pay your deductible upfront. If the hit-and-run driver is eventually found, your insurer may pursue subrogation to recover those costs.

Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage

MedPay coverage pays for immediate medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault, with a minimum limit of $1,000 per person in California. This can help bridge the gap while a larger UM claim is being processed.

If the Driver Is Identified Later

If law enforcement or your own investigation identifies the hit-and-run driver — through surveillance footage, witness tips, license plate databases, or forensic evidence — you can file a personal injury lawsuit directly against them. They face both criminal penalties and civil liability for the full extent of your damages.

Why You Need a Lawyer for a Hit-and-Run Claim

Hit-and-run cases are more complex than standard accident claims. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts on UM claims, and the legal requirements around physical contact, statute of limitations, and proper documentation create pitfalls that can sink your case if you’re not careful.

A personal injury attorney can:

• Investigate the accident and work with law enforcement to identify the fleeing driver
• Locate and preserve surveillance footage before it’s overwritten
• Handle all communication with your insurance company to prevent you from saying something that hurts your claim
• Maximize your UM claim to cover the true cost of your injuries — not just what the insurer initially offers
• File a lawsuit against the driver if they are eventually identified
• Navigate the physical contact requirement and other legal technicalities

At Sky Law Group, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims across Orange County — including hit-and-run cases where clients were initially told they had no options. We know the strategies insurers use and we know how to counter them. Don’t just take our word for it — read what our clients say.

Statute of Limitations for Hit-and-Run Claims in California

In California, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For property damage claims, the deadline is three years. If the hit and run involved a government vehicle or occurred on a government-maintained road, you may have as little as six months to file a formal claim — the same shortened deadline that applies to slip and fall accidents on government property.

For uninsured motorist claims through your own insurance, the timeline can vary based on your policy terms. Don’t wait to get legal advice — the sooner you act, the more evidence (especially surveillance footage) your attorney can preserve.

Fullerton Hit-and-Run FAQ

Can I still get compensation if the hit-and-run driver is never found?

Yes. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your auto policy, you can file a claim under your own insurance to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. California law treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists.

What is the physical contact requirement for hit-and-run UM claims?

California Insurance Code §11580.2 requires that the unknown vehicle made actual physical contact with your vehicle (or with you, if you were a pedestrian or cyclist). This rule prevents fraudulent claims. If physical contact occurred, you qualify for UM coverage even if the driver is never identified.

What are the penalties for hit and run in California?

A misdemeanor hit and run (property damage only) carries up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail. A felony hit and run (injury or death) carries fines of $1,000 to $10,000 and up to four years in prison, with enhanced penalties for serious injuries or fatalities.

How long do I have to file a hit-and-run claim in Fullerton?

You have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and three years for property damage. If a government entity was involved, the deadline may be as short as six months. For UM insurance claims, check your specific policy terms.

What should I do at the scene of a hit and run?

Call 911 immediately. Do not chase the fleeing driver. Document the scene with photos and video. Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle. Get witness contact information. Check nearby businesses for surveillance cameras. Seek medical attention within 24 hours.

How much does a hit-and-run attorney in Fullerton cost?

Sky Law Group works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free. See our FAQ page for more details, or call 1-844-4-SKYLAW.

Related Articles From Sky Law Group

• Car Accident Attorney in Orange, CA — What to Do After a Crash
• Navigating Car Accident Claims in Anaheim: A Comprehensive Guide
• Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Orange County? Here’s What to Do
• Santa Ana Slip and Fall Accidents: Your Legal Rights Explained
• Your Legal Guide to Handling Bike Accidents in Anaheim

Hit by a Driver Who Fled in Fullerton? Call Sky Law Group Today.

If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run in Fullerton, California, you deserve answers and you deserve compensation. The insurance companies will try to minimize what they owe you — don’t let them.

At Sky Law Group, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation and we don’t charge a dime unless we win your case. With over a decade of experience and a 98% settlement rate, we fight aggressively for hit-and-run victims across Orange County.

Call us now at 1-844-4-SKYLAW (1-844-475-9529) or visit our website to schedule your free case review.