Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

Compensation for Hit and Run

hi. i was involved in a hit-and-run accident yesterday evening. the person smashed into my car door, then sped off. i followed him for quite a few blocks and turns before finally catching up with him at his home. i was able to get his insurance information from him there. i have property damage, but no injuries. he's admitted fault, so i can follow up with his insurance company to get my door fixed. but i was also wondering, considering that this is a hit-and-run case, if i can be further compensated in, say, punitive damages for that very fact as well as for my inconvenience/risk in chasing him down, etc. also would it be helpful to me at all to report this to the police now? i didn't at the scene. i haven't called this in to his insurance yet, either, pending answers to my questions here first. thanks in advance.


Asked on 4/25/06, 2:24 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Stein Law Offices of Jonathan G. Stein

Re: Compensation for Hit and Run

You will not be entitled to any compensation for the "risk" of chasing him. You are entitled to have your car repaired and to obtain loss of use of the value of your car while it is being repaired.

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Answered on 5/03/06, 5:22 pm


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