Comparing Santa Monica to other California cities of similar size in 2009, Santa Monica had the second most hit and run accidents, according to the most recently available statistics from California's Office of Traffic Safety.
Santa Monica had the second worst track record for hit and run accidents out of 104 California cities of similar size.
Because of the high incidence of hit and run accidents in Santa Monica, it is critical that Santa Monica residents carry uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering if you are struck by a hit and run vehicle which was at fault for the accident.
In California, for uninsured motorist coverage to apply, there must be physical contact between the hit and run vehicle and your vehicle. The physical contact requirement was instituted to avoid insurance fraud by drivers claiming a phantom vehicle cut them off and caused them to run into something.
If you were injured in a hit and run accident in Santa Monica, or anywhere in Los Angeles, call the personal injury lawyers at McGee, Lerer and Associates for a free consultation or second opinion: (800) 999-9948.