Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

Hit and Run report question

I was recently the victim of a hit and run in Los Angeles. My car was hit while I was asleep and a suspect was arrested. He has a fairly new car with insurance. I do NOT have collision insurance. Only liablity. My insurance company says, it may be all his fault but I need to do all the legwork on my own.

I have called the LAPD about getting a copy of the report to find out who hit me and what his insurance is. They told me it will take TWELVE weeks to get a copy of the report and I have to pay 23 bucks. Is there anything else I can do here? I can't be without a car in LA for three months. How can I find out who hit me so I can start the repair process? Is there some sort of police blotter I can get the info from?


Asked on 11/09/05, 1:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Hit and Run report question

It's not the other guy's fault, nor that of the LAPD, that you don't have collision insurance, or that you sleep in your car for that matter. The risk of having to lay out your own money to fix your car, and then attempting to recover it by suing the guy who hit you (stuff a collision insurer would normally handle) was a risk you assumed when you went without collision insurance. I realize this may have been due to economic necessity on your part. It's a rough world out there. Too bad you weren't injured; if you were, you would have had a good personal injury case and you could have gotten a lawyer to help you.

P.S. You are required to fill out and send in a Form SR-1 to DMV within 10 days of the accident if the damage to either car was over $500.

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Answered on 11/11/05, 11:59 pm


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