Bakersfield hit and run accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Mickey Fine represent people injured by drivers who flee the scene anywhere in Kern County.
Hit and run cases are different from normal car accidents. Evidence disappears fast, witnesses scatter, and your own insurance company often becomes the opposing party once an uninsured motorist claim is filed.
Mickey Fine has more than 30 years of trial experience and spent years on the insurance defense side before representing injury victims, which gives him a clear view of how carriers value and challenge these cases.
If a hit and run injured you or someone in your family, call (661) 333-3333 for a free, confidential consultation.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine helps hit and run victims by investigating the crash, identifying the at-fault driver when possible, and pursuing every available source of compensation. That includes uninsured motorist coverage when the driver is never found.
Contact The Law Office Of Mickey Fine Today To See How We Can Help.
Will Mickey Fine Personally Handle My Case?
Mickey Fine remains actively involved in every case the firm accepts. Clients communicate directly with the firm throughout the representation process, with Tess McHugh serving as the primary point of contact and Michael Chen assisting with case coordination and updates.
The firm emphasizes consistent communication and direct attorney access so clients can stay informed about the status of their case and the next steps in the legal process.
What Clients May Expect From Our Hit and Run Representation
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine offers free consultations, contingency fees, and direct attorney involvement for hit and run victims in Bakersfield.
Because these cases often require quick investigation and immediate insurance action, the firm emphasizes responsive communication and hands-on representation from the start.
Clients may expect:
- A free initial consultation with attorney Mickey Fine
- A typical 24-hour response window on new inquiries and active client questions
- No fees unless the firm recovers compensation on your behalf
- Referrals to independent Kern County medical providers who may treat on a lien basis
- Thorough pursuit of uninsured motorist benefits when the driver is never identified
These services matter most in hit and run cases because financial pressure often begins before any insurance payment arrives. Helping clients access medical care while the legal claim moves forward allows them to focus more fully on recovery.
What Is Considered a Hit and Run Under California Law?
A hit and run in California happens when a driver involved in a crash fails to stop, identify themselves, and render reasonable aid. The duty applies whether the collision caused property damage, injury, or death.
California Vehicle Code Section 20001 covers hit and run crashes involving injury or death and may be charged as a felony. Vehicle Code Section 20002 covers property-damage-only hit and runs and is typically a misdemeanor.
For injury victims, the criminal case against the fleeing driver is separate from the civil claim for compensation. A conviction may strengthen a civil case, but you do not have to wait for a criminal outcome to pursue damages through the civil system.
Where Do Hit and Run Accidents Happen in Bakersfield?
Hit and run crashes in Bakersfield take many forms.
Some happen on Highway 99 or Highway 58 during rush hour, while others occur in parking lots near The Marketplace, in residential neighborhoods, or at intersections along Rosedale Highway and Ming Avenue.
A few patterns the firm sees often:
- A driver rear-ends another vehicle on the freeway and speeds off before exchanging information
- A pedestrian is struck in a crosswalk and the driver never stops
- A motorcyclist is sideswiped and the at-fault car disappears into traffic
- A cyclist is forced off the road by a driver who keeps going
Every hit-and-run case is unique, and preserving evidence early can significantly affect the outcome. Taking action in the days immediately after a crash may improve the chances of identifying the at-fault driver rather than relying solely on uninsured motorist coverage.
If a hit and run injured you in Bakersfield, call (661) 333-3333 to talk with attorney Mickey Fine directly.
Hear From Our Clients
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run in Bakersfield?
Once you are home and safe, the most useful actions are reporting the incident, documenting your injuries, and contacting an attorney before speaking with any insurance adjuster. These steps protect both your health and your legal options.
Report the Crash and Preserve What You Remember
File a police report with Bakersfield Police or the California Highway Patrol if you have not already. Even partial details about the other vehicle may lead to identification.
Write down what you remember as soon as you may, including:
- Color, make, and model of the vehicle
- Any portion of the license plate
- Direction the vehicle was heading after leaving the scene
- Unique damage, decals, or markings
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses who stopped
Memory fades faster than most people expect after a crash, so even a short written note made the same day often becomes one of the most useful pieces of evidence later in the case.
Protect Your Medical Record and Stay Off Social Media
Save discharge papers, prescription receipts, and follow-up appointment notes. Photograph visible injuries as they heal and keep a short daily journal of pain levels and physical limitations.
Insurance adjusters may review public social media posts while evaluating an injury claim.
Determining liability when multiple vehicles are involved can be incredibly stressful—explore these 3 car accident scenarios to uncover who's at fault and who pays, and learn how to safeguard your rights if a driver attempts a hit and run.
How Do You Recover Compensation If the Hit and Run Driver Is Never Found?
You may still be able to recover compensation through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if the hit and run driver is never identified.
Most California drivers have uninsured motorist coverage unless they reject it in writing. This coverage may help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering following an accident.
Even though the claim goes through your own insurance company, the insurer may still investigate liability, injuries, and damages before paying benefits.
Some hit and run UM claims also require proof that an unidentified vehicle caused the collision, which may include physical contact or other corroborating evidence depending on the policy and applicable law.
Coverage limits, reporting requirements, and arbitration deadlines vary by policy, so reviewing the claim early is important.
Damages That May Be Available in a Hit and Run Case
California law allows injury victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. The categories that often apply in a hit and run injury claim include:
- Past and future medical expenses tied to the crash
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Physical pain and suffering connected to your injuries
- Emotional distress linked to the crash, including anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, or post-traumatic stress symptoms
In California injury cases, emotional distress damages are often supported by medical or psychological evidence connecting the collision to physical or emotional harm.
Past Results For Clients
How Long Do You Have to File a Hit and Run Injury Claim in California?
Most personal injury claims in California, including those arising from hit and run crashes, must be filed within two years of the date of the injury under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Missing the deadline generally means losing the right to sue altogether.
Uninsured motorist claims often carry shorter deadlines set by the insurance contract itself. Some policies require written notice within a defined period and a formal demand for arbitration within a tighter window than the two-year civil deadline.
Cases involving a government vehicle, a city street defect, or any public entity carry a separate six-month notice requirement under the California Government Claims Act.
Early legal review prevents a procedural mistake from closing the door on an otherwise strong claim. Call (661) 333-3333 to confirm which deadlines apply to your situation.
FAQs for Bakersfield Hit and Run Accident Lawyers
How do Bakersfield hit and run accident lawyers find the driver who fled?
Attorneys work with private investigators, request traffic camera and business surveillance footage, canvass the area for witnesses, and coordinate with Bakersfield Police and California Highway Patrol.
Even partial details like a plate fragment, vehicle color, or direction of travel may lead to identification when followed up quickly.
Is hit and run a felony in California?
A hit and run involving injury or death may be charged as a felony under California Vehicle Code Section 20001.
Property-damage-only hit and runs are typically charged as misdemeanors under Section 20002. The criminal charges are separate from any civil claim the injured person may bring.
What if my own insurance company denies my uninsured motorist claim?
Insurance carriers sometimes dispute UM claims by questioning whether a phantom vehicle actually existed or whether the injuries match the reported crash.
An attorney challenges those denials with evidence, medical records, and, when needed, formal arbitration under the terms of the policy.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster before hiring a lawyer?
Insurance adjusters may request recorded statements or medical authorizations early in the claims process. Statements made before the facts and injuries are fully understood can sometimes affect how the claim is evaluated later.
Speaking with an attorney before providing a recorded statement may help you better understand your rights and obligations under the claim process.
Can a family member recover if a loved one died in a hit and run?
California permits certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60.
Recoverable damages may include funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
Do I need a lawyer if the hit and run driver was caught by police?
A criminal case against the driver does not automatically pay your medical bills or lost wages. The civil claim for compensation is separate, and an attorney handles the insurance negotiation, evidence preservation, and damages calculation that the criminal case does not address.
Calling a Bakersfield hit and run accident lawyer early protects your civil recovery while the criminal case moves through its own track.
How much does a hit and run lawyer cost in Bakersfield?
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine works on a contingency fee basis, which means no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
The initial consultation is free, and the firm responds to new inquiries within 24 hours. Call (661) 333-3333 to talk with the team and get a clear answer on next steps.
What if I was a pedestrian hit by a car that drove off?
Pedestrians struck by a fleeing driver may have coverage through their own uninsured motorist policy or, in some cases, through a household family member’s policy depending on the policy terms.
Medical bills may also be addressed through health insurance or medical payments coverage while the claim moves forward.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means a partial share of fault reduces your recovery but does not eliminate it.
An attorney builds the strongest case possible to limit any fault assigned to you and to push back on insurer arguments that try to shift blame onto the victim.
Take Action With Bakersfield Hit and Run Accident Lawyers Today
A hit and run is more than a traffic incident. It is a moment when another driver chose to leave you hurt on the road, and California law gives you the right to push back. Waiting too long after a hit and run can make it harder to preserve evidence and protect the full value of your claim.
At the Law Offices of Mickey Fine, we bring decades of courtroom and settlement experience to every case we handle. Clients work directly with Mickey Fine, and our team keeps clients informed throughout the claims process.
Our firm has represented injury victims across Kern County in car accident settlement negotiations and litigation, including cases that required trial preparation when insurance disputes could not be resolved fairly.
Call the Law Offices of Mickey Fine at (661) 333-3333 for a free, confidential consultation. We handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees are generally collected only if compensation is recovered.
Our firm strives to respond promptly to new inquiries, often within 24 hours.