What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident in San Diego

By Eugene Bruno on September 10, 2025

Being hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle is terrifying. When the driver flees the scene, the situation becomes even more difficult. 

If you were a cyclist injured in a hit-and-run accident in San Diego, you might not know where to turn for help. This guide explains how to protect your legal rights as a cyclist, pursue recovery through uninsured motorist claims, and file a strong personal injury lawsuit as a cyclist, even if the driver who hit you disappeared.

What Is a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

In California, any driver involved in a crash must stop at the scene and provide their name, contact info, and insurance. When a driver fails to do this—whether they hit another vehicle, a cyclist, or a pedestrian—it becomes a hit-and-run, which is a crime under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (for injury) or Section 20002 (for property damage only).

These collisions can lead to serious injuries and legal complexity, especially when the at-fault driver is unknown. For injured cyclists, hit-and-run crashes often happen:

• When a driver swerves into a bike lane and leaves the scene
• When a parked vehicle “doored” a cyclist and drove off
• At intersections, when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield
• During side-swipes on narrow roads with no shoulder

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident

If you’ve just been hit by a vehicle that fled the scene, take the following steps to protect your health, preserve evidence, and strengthen your legal claim.

Get to Safety and Call 911

Your health comes first. Move to a safe location if possible and call emergency services. Request paramedics if you are injured. Even if you feel okay, some injuries like concussions or internal damage may not show up immediately. That’s why it’s crucial to get immediate medical attention. This will also strengthen your accident claim.

Document the Accident

While it may feel chaotic, try to gather as much information as possible:

• Photos of the scene, your bicycle, injuries, skid marks, and debris
• License plate number (even partial)
• Description of the vehicle and driver
• Witness contact info

File a Police Report

Filing an official police report for a bike accident is essential, especially in hit-and-run cases. The report will document:

• Time and location of the crash
• Injuries sustained
• Witnesses or video surveillance references
• Initial fault analysis

Can You Recover Damages if the Driver Is Never Found?

Yes. Even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified, you may still be able to receive compensation through several legal avenues.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Claims

Many cyclists don’t realize that their own auto insurance policy may cover them after a hit-and-run bicycle accident in San Diego. If you have car insurance with uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you may be eligible to file a claim.

UM coverage typically applies when:

• The at-fault driver is uninsured
• The driver fled the scene (and is unknown)

UM benefits may cover:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Your insurance company may try to minimize your settlement. At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we handle UM claims aggressively to ensure cyclists are treated fairly.

Health Insurance and Medical Payments (MedPay)

If you don’t have UM coverage, your health insurance may pay for medical expenses. Some auto policies also include MedPay, which can be used to cover immediate medical bills after a bike crash, even if the accident didn’t involve your car.

Crime Victims Compensation Board

Through the Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB), California offers limited compensation to victims of certain crimes, including hit-and-run crashes. While not a substitute for full compensation, it can help cover therapy, medical treatment, or burial expenses in fatal cases.

Types of Damages in a Hit-and-Run Claim

Even if the driver isn’t identified, you can still seek damages through UM or civil court. These may include the following.

Economic Damages

• Emergency and hospital bills
• Follow-up medical care
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Lost income from missed work
• Future medical expenses
• Bicycle and gear replacement costs

Non-economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or disability

Our legal team at Eugene Bruno & Associates will gather all evidence of these losses and present a comprehensive claim, whether through negotiation or in court.

Challenges in Hit-and-Run Bicycle Cases

While it’s absolutely possible to recover compensation, these cases come with specific legal challenges.

Proving the Hit-and-Run Occurred

Insurance companies may demand evidence that a collision took place. A bike crash report, medical records, and eyewitness accounts help establish the timeline and events.

Pushing Back Against Insurance Denials

Insurance carriers may try to deny UM claims, claiming that:

• The accident wasn’t a hit-and-run
• The cyclist was partially at fault
• Injuries were pre-existing

We push back with detailed documentation, expert evaluations, and skilled negotiation tactics.

Issues With Complex Coverage

Many cyclists don’t realize that multiple policies could apply. For example, a cyclist hit while riding to work may qualify for workers’ comp and UM coverage. Our firm will help identify all sources of compensation to ensure you don’t leave money on the table.

We Know How to Build a Strong Hit-and-Run Claim

When you work with Eugene Bruno & Associates, we take immediate action to preserve evidence and protect your rights:

• We review police reports and locate potential witnesses
• We check for surveillance or traffic camera footage
• We work with medical professionals to document your injuries
• We handle all insurance negotiations so you can focus on healing
• If necessary, we file a personal injury lawsuit as a cyclist to pursue damages in court

We also coordinate with law enforcement during ongoing investigations to stay informed if a suspect is identified.

Don’t Wait—Time Limits Apply

In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. However, uninsured motorist claims may have shorter contractual time limits set by your policy—sometimes as little as six months to one year.

Call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a hit-and-run crash, as waiting too long could cost you your ability to recover compensation.

Why Cyclists Trust Eugene Bruno & Associates

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we understand the pain, fear, and uncertainty that follow a hit-and-run bicycle accident in San Diego. Our firm has been recognized as one of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in San Diego, and we bring compassionate, hands-on service to every case we take on.

• 99.7% success rate
• Over 85 years of combined experience
• Tens of millions recovered for clients
• No fee unless we win
• Aggressive negotiation + trial-tested litigation

Speak With Our Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyers in San Diego

You don’t need to face this alone. We’ll help you explore your options to receive fair compensation for your medical bills and other expenses, such as time missed from work. Call 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) to schedule your free consultation with our San Diego bike accident attorneys.