Fresno Hit and Run Lawyer

Injured in a hit and run accident in Fresno, CA? Contact the top Fresno hit and run lawyer to seek justice and compensation.

A hit and run leaves you hurt, shaken, and wondering how you will ever get paid when the driver who caused it is gone. These crashes happen across Fresno, from busy corridors like Blackstone Avenue and Kings Canyon Road to dark stretches of Highway 99 at night. Victims often face fractures, head injuries, and back injuries, along with medical bills and lost wages, while police work to identify a driver who may never be found.

At Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accidents Lawyers, our Fresno hit and run lawyers know how to pursue compensation even when the at-fault driver cannot be located. We move quickly to gather witness statements, traffic and business camera footage, and vehicle debris that can help identify the driver. When the driver stays unknown, we pursue your own uninsured motorist coverage, which in California requires reporting the crash to police within 24 hours and meeting strict filing deadlines. With decades of experience handling auto accident cases and fighting insurers across the Central Valley, we make sure you are not left paying for someone else’s choice to flee.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discover how our Fresno hit and run lawyers can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.

Results in Uninsured Motorist Cases

The first number the insurance company puts on the table is never the right one.

• $50,000 Policy Limits at Arbitration: Our client injured her shoulder in a crash caused by an uninsured motorist. Her own insurer denied that the accident caused her need for shoulder surgery and offered only $11,000. The case settled at arbitration for the maximum policy limits of $50,000.
• $76,575 at Arbitration: Our client was injured in a rollover caused by an uninsured motorist. When her own insurer refused to offer more than $35,000, we demanded arbitration, and the case settled for $76,575.

Insurance companies count on you not knowing your options. We make sure they’re wrong.

No Fee Unless We Win

You pay nothing to get us working on your case: no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses.

We advance every cost and collect only from what we win. If we do not recover, you owe us nothing. Winning matters. But what you keep matters more.

What Is a Hit and Run under California Law?

A hit and run is when a driver leaves an accident without stopping to exchange insurance information or help anyone injured. It is a crime, and a civil wrong we use to establish fault on your behalf.

California law defines two categories:

• Vehicle Code §20001 (Felony): Applies when the accident causes injury or death. The fleeing driver faces potential prison time.
• Vehicle Code §20002 (Misdemeanor): Applies to property-damage-only crashes. Still a criminal act, and we use the driver’s decision to flee as evidence of fault in your civil case.

What to Do in the First 72 Hours after a Fresno Hit and Run

Evidence disappears fast after a hit and run: surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witnesses forget details. The steps you take now are critical.

Step 1: Get Medical Care the Same Day

Seek medical attention promptly after a crash, even if you feel fine. Records created the day of the crash directly link your injuries to the accident. Without them, the insurer has room to dispute causation.

Step 2: Call 911 and File a Police Report

For accidents on Fresno city streets, contact the Fresno Police Department. For crashes on freeways like the 99, 41, or 180, call California Highway Patrol. For hit and run claims, California’s uninsured motorist (UM) statute requires a police report within 24 hours as a condition of coverage.

Step 3: File DMV Form SR-1 within 10 Days

California law requires you to submit a Report of Traffic Accident (SR-1) to the DMV within 10 days any time someone is injured or property damage exceeds $1,000. Missing this deadline can suspend your license.

Step 4: Preserve Surveillance Footage Immediately

Ask nearby businesses and homeowners to save camera recordings now. Most systems overwrite footage within 48 to 72 hours. After that window closes, the evidence is gone permanently.

One pattern we consistently see in Fresno hit and run claims is that the best footage sits with the businesses along Blackstone Avenue and Shaw Avenue, not with the city. Many of those strip mall and gas station systems record over themselves within a few days, and most owners will only hold a clip if they receive a written request. We send those requests the day we are hired, because a single frame showing a plate or a damaged fender can turn an unidentified driver into an insured one.

Step 5: Call Our Fresno Team

We open an investigation the same day you contact us. Every hour matters after a hit and run.

Start your claim today. You pay nothing unless we win. Call our Fresno team 24/7 at (661) 945-6969.

Can You Recover Compensation If the Driver Is Never Found?

Yes. Your claim does not depend on identifying the person who fled.

California law allows you to seek compensation through your own auto insurance using uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, a provision designed specifically for accidents where the at-fault driver cannot be found.

“An uninsured motorist case is generally going to be more fair than a jury trial. It’s quicker, it’s more predictable, and it’s usually a fair way to go.” – Mark Anderson

How UM Coverage Works after a Fresno Hit and Run

UM coverage is built into your own auto policy. California law requires insurers to offer it, but you may have waived it in writing without fully understanding the consequences. Pull your declarations page and check your coverage level.

Two forms apply most often after a hit and run:

• UM Bodily Injury (UMBI): Covers your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limit. This is your primary source of compensation when the other driver is never identified.
• Collision Coverage: Pays for vehicle repair or replacement regardless of fault. You pay your deductible, and we work to recover that amount as part of your total claim.

UM Property Damage generally requires identifying the at-fault driver. In most hit and run cases, collision coverage is the more reliable path for vehicle losses.

What we see across the UM claims we handle in Fresno is that many clients first learn their UM limit is only $30,000 per person when they pull their declarations page after the crash. The adjuster rarely volunteers that information, and some clients find a signed UM waiver they do not remember. We review the declarations page, any waiver, and every resident relative’s policy in the household before we advise on next steps.

What If the Vehicles Never Made Physical Contact?

In most cases, UM bodily injury coverage does not apply. California’s UM statute requires physical contact between the unidentified vehicle and you or the vehicle you were in. A phantom vehicle that forces you off the road without touching your car generally does not qualify for UM bodily injury coverage.

Other options may still apply. Your collision coverage can pay for vehicle damage, Med-Pay can help with early medical bills, and a witness or security camera that identifies the other driver can open a claim against that driver’s own insurance.

What Compensation Can You Recover after a Fresno Hit and Run?

Your total recovery depends on your policy limits, your injuries, and the evidence we build. We pursue every available category of loss.

If the driver is later found and carries liability insurance, we pursue their policy in addition to your UM claim, often increasing your total recovery significantly.

“We have never been thru a lawsuit before, and was really surprised at the amount of paper work involved! I am also amazed at the amount of work involved in these things. Mark always was my professional and always explained my millions of questions. I feel like he really cared for my well-being and I appreciate that. We really thank you Mark & Ava!” – Marilyn R.

Deadlines That Can End Your Claim

Missing a single deadline hands the insurer a reason to close your file. These dates are fixed.

• 24 hours: File a police report. California’s UM statute requires this for hit and run claims.
• 10 days: Submit DMV Form SR-1 to the California DMV.
• 30 days: File a sworn statement with your insurer that you have a claim against an unidentified driver. California’s UM statute requires this for hit and run claims.
• 2 years: California’s personal injury statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit (CCP §335.1). For a UM claim, you must also formally demand arbitration, reach an agreement with your insurer, or file suit within two years of the crash.
• 6 months: If a government entity is involved, your deadline to file is far shorter.

Don’t miss a critical deadline. Call (661) 945-6969 for your free case review now.

How We Prove a Hit and Run in Fresno

We treat every file as if it is going to trial. That preparation is what forces insurance companies to make serious offers before arbitration begins.

From day one, we:

• Subpoena traffic signal and business surveillance footage before it is overwritten
• Request all Fresno PD and CHP incident records and supplemental reports
• Canvass the area for witnesses not included in the original police report
• Retain accident reconstruction specialists when fault or causation is disputed
• Pull license plate reader and cell records when a suspect has been identified

In our experience handling hit and run cases in Fresno County, the Fresno Police Department or CHP Fresno Area report is often thin because the other driver was gone before officers arrived. Witnesses who stayed only a few minutes are frequently missing from the report entirely. We canvass the businesses and bus stops near the crash scene within days, while people still remember what they saw.

How We Protect Your Net Recovery

A large settlement number means nothing if liens, lender fees, and unclear disbursements drain it before you see a check.

Before your funds are released, we negotiate every outstanding medical lien and provider bill downward. We do not steer clients toward predatory legal lenders. And before any check is cut, you receive a line-by-line accounting of where every dollar in your settlement goes.

“Insurance companies want to hold onto their money as long as they can, and as much of it as they can.” – Mark Anderson

Why Choose Kuzyk Law for a Fresno Hit and Run?

We have represented injured people, and only injured people, since 1971.

• $1.25 Billion Recovered: Over 100,000 California clients served, from minimum-policy cases to multi-million-dollar recoveries. The track record reflects the method.
• Plaintiff-Only for 54+ Years: We have never represented an insurance company. We know exactly how they build defenses, because we have spent decades tearing them apart.
• Local Fresno Office: We know the courts, the local adjusters, and the roads. You are not routed to a call center thousands of miles away.
• Trial-Ready from Day One: Insurance carriers track which firms litigate and which ones fold. Our reputation raises the number before we open negotiations.
• Bilingual Service: Full Spanish-language representation available. Se habla español.
• 80%+ Client Referrals: Most of our cases come from people we have already helped. That is the most honest measurement of results.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for Kuzyk Law because from the moment I reached out, they treated me with compassion and professionalism, and they truly took the time to understand my situation, which made me feel heard and supported. Not only did they keep me updated throughout the entire process, but they also explained every step in a way that was easy to understand, which gave me so much peace of mind. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, I was able to focus on healing while they fought to get me the compensation I deserved.” – Ken A.

Our Process from First Call to Final Check

We handle every step so you can focus entirely on getting better.

“There’s a lot of moving parts to a successful personal injury case. Unless you do it for a living, you wouldn’t know those moving parts.” – Mark Anderson

Step 1: Free Case Review

You explain what happened. We review your coverage, evaluate your damages, and tell you how we plan to move forward, at no cost and with no obligation.

Step 2: Evidence Secured and Treatment Documented

We open an investigation immediately and track your medical progress. Nothing is lost while you recover.

Step 3: Demand Package Built

Once your treatment stabilizes, we compile every bill, record, and proof of loss into a comprehensive settlement demand.

Step 4: Negotiation

We go directly to the adjuster and push back on every lowball offer with documented evidence of your actual losses.

Step 5: Arbitration or Litigation

If the insurer refuses a fair settlement, we file for binding UM arbitration or take the case to trial. We do not settle for less to avoid a fight.

Step 6: Lien Reduction and Your Check

We negotiate every outstanding medical bill downward before disbursement, then issue your check with a full accounting of every dollar.

Talk to a Fresno hit and run lawyer today at (661) 945-6969. Your consultation is free, with no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will My Insurance Premiums Increase after Filing a UM Claim for a Hit and Run?

No. California law prohibits insurers from raising your rates for filing a UM claim in an accident that was not your fault.

Can I File a UM Claim without a Police Report after a Fresno Hit and Run?

California’s UM statute requires a report filed within 24 hours as a condition of hit and run coverage. Without one, the insurer has grounds to deny your claim entirely.

What Happens to My UM Claim If the Fleeing Driver Is Later Identified?

If the driver is found and has liability insurance, we pursue a claim against their policy as well, which can add to what your UM coverage pays.

Can I Recover UM Benefits If There Was No Physical Contact between the Two Vehicles?

Generally, no. California’s UM statute requires physical contact between the unidentified vehicle and you or the vehicle you were in. We review your policy and every other available source of recovery during your free case review.

Does Immigration Status Affect the Right to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?

No. Every person in California has the same legal right to seek compensation for their injuries, regardless of immigration status.

Can I Recover Punitive Damages in a California Hit and Run Case?

Only if the driver is identified and we file a civil lawsuit against them directly. Punitive damages are not available through your own UM policy.

What Are My Options If I Have No Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

If you have no uninsured motorist coverage, your health insurance covers medical bills, and collision coverage handles vehicle damage. We identify every available source of recovery during your free case review.

How Long Does a Fresno Hit and Run Claim Typically Take to Resolve?

How long a hit-and-run claim takes to resolve depends on the length of your medical treatment and how the insurer handles negotiations.

Contact Kuzyk’s Law Office in Fresno, CA

The driver who hit you did not stop. The insurance company has already assigned an adjuster to your file.

Every day without representation is a day the other side uses to build their position. Our Fresno team is available around the clock. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Precise. Prepared. Local. Built to protect what you keep.

Call (661) 945-6969 24/7 for a free case review, or visit our Fresno office at 2045 E Ashlan Ave Suite 106, Fresno, CA 93726. There is no fee unless we win. Se habla español.