When the at-fault driver leaves, your next steps matter just as much as your injuries. If you’re physically able, prioritize this order:
- Get medical care immediately (even if you think it’s “not that bad”). In California, medical documentation is often what connects your current symptoms to the crash.
- Call police and request a report. For hit-and-run cases, the report number becomes a critical anchor for every later request.
- Document what’s unique to the Covina scene:
- nearest intersection or roadway segment
- time of day (lighting/visibility can be key)
- vehicle description (color, make/model if known, direction of travel)
- any nearby storefront cameras, apartment/condo entry cameras, or traffic signals
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to insurance until you’ve reviewed your situation with counsel.
If you’re overwhelmed, that’s normal. But delaying can make evidence harder to obtain—especially when the incident happens during busy weekday traffic or near areas where people come and go.


