Santa Monica Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Santa Monica, CA?

At Cohen Injury Law Group, we pursue full recovery for pedestrians injured by hit-and-run drivers in Santa Monica, CA.

If you were injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Santa Monica, our Santa Monica, CA hit-and-run pedestrian accident lawyer can work to identify the driver who fled. Our attorneys pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, whether or not the driver is found. If the driver is never located, Cohen Injury Law Group brings the claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage. Contact our office for a free case review.

Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Santa Monica, CA

A hit-and-run pedestrian accident is a type of pedestrian accident in which the driver leaves the scene without stopping or identifying themselves. The injured person is left without the driver’s name or insurance information. Recovery then depends on finding the driver or turning to other coverage.

In 2022, OTS crash rankings recorded 53 hit-and-run collisions with deaths or injuries in Santa Monica. That ranked the city 11th among 104 comparably sized California cities. The same data counted 80 pedestrians killed or injured in the city, ranking first in that group.

Types of Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Santa Monica

Hit-and-run collisions involving pedestrians occur in several settings. Each setting offers different evidence for identifying the driver. Our Santa Monica hit-and-run pedestrian accident lawyer handles the following claims.

• Crosswalk accidents. Many hit-and-run pedestrian collisions occur at signalized crossings. Signal cameras and nearby businesses often record the fleeing vehicle.
• Drunk driving pedestrian accidents. Impaired drivers sometimes flee to avoid arrest. When police later locate the driver, the arrest record supports the civil claim.
• Intersection crashes. Two vehicles colliding at a corner can strike pedestrians waiting to cross. The other driver’s account and vehicle parts left at the scene can help trace a driver who fled.
• Parking lot and driveway strikes. Drivers backing out of spaces or leaving garages sometimes strike a pedestrian and drive away. Property owners often keep security video that records the vehicle and its plate.
• Nighttime hit-and-runs. Darkness makes the fleeing vehicle harder for witnesses to describe. We look for doorbell and business cameras along the driver’s likely route.
• Spinal cord damage. A pedestrian thrown by a vehicle can suffer spinal fractures and nerve injury. These claims require documentation of long-term care needs.
• Brain injuries. A pedestrian’s head can strike the vehicle or the curb. Neurological testing records the extent of the injury for the claim.
• Wrongful death. When a fleeing driver causes a fatal collision, close family members may seek compensation for the loss. The civil claim can move forward while police continue to search for the driver.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group as My Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Santa Monica, CA?

Legal Training Paired With Investigative Technology

Nicholas E. Cohen completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California. He then attended Loyola Law School on a merit scholarship. His first-year performance at Loyola placed him fourth in his class. Raised in a family of trial lawyers, Nicholas is Managing Partner of our firm. His background in legal technology supports our investigation of hit-and-run cases. In these cases, video and vehicle evidence must be gathered before it disappears.

Recovering Through Your Own Coverage

When the driver is never identified, your own uninsured motorist coverage often becomes the main source of compensation. Your insurer then evaluates the claim as if it stood in the at-fault driver’s position. We present that claim with the evidence gathered during the investigation. When you retain us, you have a personal injury lawyer in Santa Monica, CA who pursues both the at-fault driver and your own insurer when the coverage requires it. Representation is contingent on recovery, with no upfront cost.

Understanding Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Cases

Under Civil Code 3333, the driver who caused the collision is liable for the full harm it produced. If the driver is found, compensation comes from that driver’s insurer. If not, your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay, subject to your policy limits. Recoverable losses include:

1. Medical costs. Emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care.
2. Income losses. Missed wages and a diminished capacity to earn.
3. Non-economic losses. Pain, emotional distress, and the loss of normal activities.
4. Crime victim reimbursement. Hit-and-run victims may also apply for state victim compensation for certain out-of-pocket costs.

What Is the Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline?

A hit-and-run claim follows a different sequence than most pedestrian claims. The first task is finding the driver.

• Report and treatment. The police report is filed, and your medical care begins.
• Driver search. We request video from businesses, residences, and public cameras. We also review debris, paint transfer, and witness accounts.
• Insurance notice. Your own insurer receives prompt notice of the collision, as most policies require.
• Claim or lawsuit. If the driver is found, the claim proceeds against that driver’s insurer. CCP section 335.1 sets a general two-year deadline to file in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Uninsured motorist claims carry their own deadlines under the policy and state law.
• Resolution. Claims resolve through settlement, arbitration, or trial. Uninsured motorist disputes are often decided in arbitration.

What Should You Bring to Your Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Consultation?

Details about the fleeing vehicle and your own insurance guide the first steps of the case:

• Police report number. The number from the Santa Monica Police Department or the agency that responded.
• Vehicle description. Color, make, any partial plate, visible damage, and direction of travel.
• Witness information. Names of witnesses and the locations of nearby cameras.
• Your auto insurance policy. The declarations page shows your uninsured motorist limits.
• Medical records. Records and bills from each provider who has treated you.

We review what is known about the driver and the coverage available to you. Before the meeting ends, we outline the investigation we recommend and the likely path of the claim.

What Are Important Aspects of a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Case?

Most hit-and-run cases depend first on identifying the driver. Video is the most common source of that identification. Many business and residential cameras record over their footage within days or weeks. Requests for that footage go out early.

Vehicle debris, paint transfer, and witness descriptions help narrow the search. Police investigations sometimes locate the driver weeks or months later. A conviction brings criminal penalties, but it does not compensate the injured pedestrian.

When the driver is not found, the claim moves to your own policy. Insurance companies handling these claims examine the medical records and the police report closely. Timely treatment and a prompt report strengthen the claim.

Most Dangerous Locations for Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents in Santa Monica, CA

The following locations combine heavy foot traffic with quick exit routes for a fleeing driver.

Streets:

• Pico Boulevard. This east-west arterial runs from the beach toward Los Angeles. Commercial blocks and a college campus draw pedestrians across its lanes.
• Main Street. Restaurants and shops in Ocean Park draw foot traffic into the evening. Drivers leaving the area can reach PCH within a short distance.
• Broadway. Downtown blocks near the Promenade carry heavy pedestrian traffic. Nearby freeway access gives drivers a direct route out of downtown.
• Olympic Boulevard. This street runs parallel to I-10 through much of the city. Its ramps allow a driver to leave Santa Monica quickly.

Highways:

• Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway). A driver who reaches the freeway can be miles away within minutes. Camera footage near the on-ramps often becomes key evidence.
• Pacific Coast Highway. Beachgoers cross between parking lots and the sand along the highway. High speeds increase the severity of injuries when a driver fails to stop.

Reach Out to Cohen Injury Law Group to Schedule a Consultation

Cohen Injury Law Group handles hit-and-run pedestrian claims for clients across Santa Monica. We work on contingency, with no fee unless compensation is recovered. The first review addresses what is known about the driver and the coverage that applies. Please contact us for a free case review with our Santa Monica hit-and-run pedestrian accident lawyer.