If you've been the victim of a hit and run accident, the steps you take in the aftermath are extremely important. The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting the help and compensation you deserve. Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately to discuss your legal options and get professional guidance through this difficult situation.
What is Considered a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run collision is where a driver intentionally leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or aid anyone injured. This applies whether the accident involves two cars, a car hitting a pedestrian or bicyclist, or even an unoccupied parked vehicle. Fleeing the scene of an accident you were involved in is illegal in all 50 states.
The hit and run driver may speed away immediately after the crash or drive a short distance away first before running on foot. If the other driver flees to avoid responsibility, it's a hit and run. This severe criminal offense can result in heavy fines, jail time for the perpetrator, and their liability for your injuries and property damage.
Why Do Drivers Flee the Scene of an Accident?
There are many reasons a reckless driver may flee the scene of a wreck they caused. Often, they're trying to avoid the consequences of their actions. A hit and run driver may have a suspended or revoked license, expired registration tags, or no insurance. They may be driving a stolen vehicle. Young or inexperienced drivers sometimes panic and impulsively leave the scene. In some cases, the driver may be intoxicated and fearing a DUI.
Regardless of their reasons, fleeing the scene of an accident is never justified. Leaving an injured victim without even calling for help is a callous act that can constitute negligence or recklessness in a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced personal injury attorney can help hold the hit and run driver fully accountable for the harm they caused you.
What are the First Steps I Should Take After a Hit and Run?
The actions you take after being struck by a hit and run driver are important for your health and legal rights. Of course, your physical condition comes first. If you're seriously injured, the most urgent priority is getting medical attention. Have someone call 911 immediately if you cannot do so yourself.
Assuming you don't need emergency treatment, here are the most important steps to take after a hit and run:
See a Doctor for a Complete Medical Evaluation After a hit and run
Your health has to come first, even if you walked away from the hit and run on your own two feet. hit and run collisions often cause injuries with delayed symptoms that may not become apparent for hours or even days afterward. Whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, and spinal cord damage can be easy to miss at first.
Seek medical attention immediately after the hit and run accident for a full medical exam. This protects your health and documents your injuries if you need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. Be sure to tell your physician you were in a hit and run car accident. Follow your doctor's treatment plan exactly and attend all recommended follow-up appointments.
Be Cautious When Discussing the Hit and Run Accident
After a traumatic experience like a hit and run, it's normal to want to talk about the accident with friends, family, or coworkers. However, be very careful what you say. Offhand comments like "I'm okay" or "I feel fine" can seriously damage your case if you try to seek compensation later on.
Avoid posting any details or photos from the accident on social media. The other side can use these posts to challenge the severity of your injuries. To be safe, don't discuss the accident or your physical condition with anyone except your doctor, the police, and personal injury lawyer.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Right Away
Calling a lawyer should be one of your top priorities after a hit and run. Personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the complexities of the legal system and can offer the professional guidance you need during this challenging time. They understand the laws surrounding hit and run accidents, including how to deal with insurance companies, gather evidence, and protect your rights, ensuring you don't make missteps that can harm your case.
An experienced hit and run accident attorney will immediately take action by working to track down the driver responsible, using all available resources to identify the at-fault party. They will also gather vital evidence—such as witness statements, surveillance footage, police reports, and medical records—to build a strong case on your behalf. In addition to fighting to hold the responsible driver accountable, they will advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. Most personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations, meaning you can receive professional legal advice about your situation without any financial obligation. This makes getting the support you need easier, regardless of rent financial circumstances.
What If the Hit and Run Driver Can't Be Found?
Unfortunately, many hit and run drivers are never caught, even with thorough investigations by law enforcement. If you couldn't get a good look at the vehicle or license plate and there were no cameras or eyewitnesses, the perpetrator may get away. However, this doesn't necessarily mean you're out of luck for compensation.
Your auto insurance policy may offer coverage for hit and run accidents. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage will pay for your medical bills and property damage up to the limits of your policy. Collision coverage will pay to repair or replace your vehicle. Personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage can help with expenses and lost earnings.
Your personal injury lawyer can review your insurance policy to determine what coverage may apply. Your personal injury attorney can file a claim and negotiate with the insurance company if you have the right coverage. Insurers are out to pay as little as possible on claims, but an experienced attorney will fight for every dollar you're entitled to.
What Compensation Can I Get for a Hit and Run Accident?
Hit and run accidents often cause devastating injuries that create major physical, emotional, and financial burdens for victims. If a reckless hit and run driver has struck you, you shouldn't have to bear these costs because of someone else's negligence.
You may be entitled to substantial compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills related to the accident
- Lost income from missing work during your recovery
- Reduced future earning capacity from long-term injuries
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent scarring or disability
- Funeral and burial expenses (in fatal hit and run cases)
The best way to get full and fair compensation is to have a skilled personal injury lawyer in your corner. Your personal injury attorney can identify all possible sources of recovery, including the hit and run driver's insurance and your own UM/UIM policy. A good personal injury lawyer aggressively pursues every dollar you deserve through insurance settlements or personal injury lawsuits.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help with My Hit and Run Claim?
Trying to handle the aftermath of a hit and run accident on your own can be overwhelming, especially when you're struggling with painful injuries, expensive medical bills, time off work, and the trauma of being victimized by a reckless driver. You don't have to go through this alone.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can lift these burdens and fight for your rights at every step by:
Investigating to Identify the Hit and Run Driver
Personal injury lawyers often work with teams of skilled investigators who can canvas the accident scene, interview eyewitnesses, track down and analyze surveillance footage, and dig deep to identify hit and run drivers. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner they can start this important investigative process.
Gathering Evidence to Build a Strong Case
Your personal injury lawyer will also collect extensive evidence to build the strongest case possible and demonstrate the other driver's fault. This may include police accident reports, medical records, photos of the scene and your injuries, witness statements, cellphone records, toxicology reports, and accident reconstructionists.
Dealing with Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
Insurers, even your insurance company, are not on your side after an accident. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible. A personal injury lawyer knows how to deal with sneaky insurance adjusters and fight against tactics to diminish, delay, or deny your valid hit and run claim.
Your personal injury lawyer can handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies, so you don't have to. If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney may advise filing a lawsuit. If your case goes to court, your lawyer will be fully prepared to present a persuasive case to the jury.
Explaining Your Rights and Options
Hit and run accident cases can be complex, especially when the driver is uninsured or unidentified. In these situations, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help guide the process, including pursuing uninsured motorist coverage or claims against the at-fault driver’s insurer. They will explain your legal rights and options so you can make informed decisions on how to proceed.
Your attorney will guide you through each step of the process, from investigation to settlement or trial, answering your questions and offering support. With experience in hit and run cases, they will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve, handling the legal complexities so you can focus on recovering.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Most importantly, an experienced personal injury lawyer will fight to get you the highest compensation possible for all your losses from the hit and run. This may include money for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, property damage, and other damages. Insurance companies know which attorneys won't hesitate to take them to court. Having a respected personal injury lawyer on your side can often result in significantly higher settlements.
What Should I Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Not all personal injury lawyers have the same skills and specialties, so finding one with the right experience and approach for your hit and run case is important.
The best personal injury lawyer for you should have the following:
- Extensive experience handling hit and run accident claims
- A track record of success in getting high settlements and verdicts for clients
- Specific knowledge of the relevant traffic laws and statutes in your state
- Established professional relationships with accident reconstruction and medical professionals who can serve as persuasive witnesses
- A willingness to take cases to trial when necessary to pursue maximum compensation
- Strong negotiation skills for dealing with insurance companies
- Compassion and dedication to protecting injured victims' rights
- Glowing reviews from past clients and a stellar reputation in the legal community
Above all, you should choose a personal injury lawyer you feel comfortable with and trust to fight for your best interests. Look for a law firm that will take the time to listen to your story, answer all your questions, and treat you with dignity and respect. This trusting attorney-client relationship can make all the difference in your hit and run accident case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
It's understandable to worry about affording a lawyer, especially when you're already facing medical bills and time off work after a hit and run accident. Fortunately, most reputable personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or legal fees unless your attorney wins money for you. Then, the personal injury lawyer you hire takes an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or verdict. You won't owe any attorney's fees if your case is unsuccessful.
Additionally, the initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer is typically free. This gives you a chance to get preliminary legal advice with no obligation and make sure you're comfortable with the attorney before moving forward with your case.
Get the Legal Help You Need After a Hit and Run Accident
If you've suffered an injury by a negligent hit and run driver, you deserve justice and fair compensation for all you've suffered. Don't try to go through the confusing legal system on your own. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today for the dedicated advocacy and tireless representation you need during this challenging time. The sooner you act, the better your chances of holding the reckless driver accountable and obtaining a full financial recovery.