Hit and Run Motorcycle Accidents: Your Path to Compensation

If you are physically able after a hit and run motorcycle accident, take these critical steps: • **Call 911 immediately**: Report the accident and your injuries • **Note everything you remember**: Vehicle make, model, color, partial plate numbers, driver description • **Look for witnesses**: Other drivers or pedestrians may have seen the fleeing vehicle • **Check for cameras**: Nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dashcams may have captured footage • **Seek medical attention**: Get examined even if injuries seem minor • **Contact your insurance**: Report the hit and run to your own insurance company Every detail matters. Even partial information can help police locate the driver.

Law enforcement uses several methods to identify hit and run drivers: • Traffic and security camera footage • Witness statements • Vehicle debris analysis (paint, glass, parts) • Hospital records (if the driver sought treatment) • Social media and tip lines • Nearby license plate readers Hit and run cases are more likely to be solved when reported immediately and when evidence is preserved. An attorney can also hire private investigators to assist with the search.

If the hit and run driver is identified, you can pursue a personal injury claim against them directly. You may recover: • All medical expenses • Lost wages • Pain and suffering • Property damage • Punitive damages (hit and run is a crime, showing intentional misconduct) The driver may face criminal charges in addition to civil liability.

Even if the driver is never identified, you may still recover compensation through: **Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage**: California requires insurers to offer UM coverage, which pays for injuries caused by uninsured or unidentified drivers. This is your primary source of compensation in hit and run cases. **Medical Payments Coverage**: Pays medical bills regardless of fault up to your policy limits. **Collision Coverage**: Pays for motorcycle repairs or replacement regardless of whether the other driver is found. Your own insurance company may try to minimize your claim. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf.