What is Considered a Hit-and-Run and How Can Victims Seek Compensation?
A hit-and-run occurs when a car driver involved in an accident flees the scene of the accident without fulfilling their legal obligations. When an accident happens, the driver should stop, identify themselves and their insurance details, and call emergency service providers before reporting the incident to the police. This is important because hit-and-run accident laws treat and classify these cases as misdemeanors based on their severity.
A driver involved in a hit-and-run risks attracting fines, license suspension, or even imprisonment for their recklessness. Victims can seek compensation through the following process:
1. Contact law enforcement
Victims of hit-and-run accidents should file a formal police report immediately after the accident occurs. This allows police to conduct investigations, including collecting witness statements, reviewing physical evidence, and surveillance footage to identify the at-fault driver.
2. Document evidence
Following an accident, victims should collect and organize all details related to the case. For example, they should take photos of the accident scene, including car damages and injuries suffered in the process. They should also collect eyewitnesses’ contact information, as their testimonies can help to strengthen the case by providing critical details during the claim process.
3. Seek medical attention
Even when injuries suffered seem minor, victims of a hit-and-run accident should seek medical attention from a qualified medical professional. Medical records play a major role in determining the extent of the injuries suffered and linking these injuries to the accident, thus strengthening their compensation claims.
4. Use personal insurance coverage
Even when the at-fault driver escapes the scene without taking responsibility for the accident, victims can still seek compensation through their personal insurance coverage. Additionally, if the at-fault driver lacks an insurance cover, victims can seek compensation for their medical bills and lost wages through programs such as the uninsured motorists (UM) coverage.
5. File a claim against the driver (if found)
When the police successfully identify the at-fault driver, the victim can pursue legal action compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and emotional distress. In this case, an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer can help to build a compelling case and negotiate with insurance firms to ensure rightful compensation for all damages.
6. Hire a lawyer for legal support
Since hit-and-runs are complex to maneuver, victims of such accidents can benefit immensely by seeking legal assistance from a knowledgeable personal accident lawyer. For instance, a lawyer can help gather credible evidence and take care of communications with insurance firms seeking fair compensation on the victim’s sake. Additionally, when a lawsuit becomes a necessity in the matter, a lawyer can successfully guide and represent victims through the complex legal system to ensure that their claims are heard and acted upon.
Although seeking compensation for a hit-and-run accident can be challenging, victims have multiple recovery avenues they can use to seek damages from the insurance firms. First, to protect the victim’s rights, it’s important to report the incident to the police, document the scene of the accident, and seek medical assistance from a qualified medical practitioner. Secondly, use the uninsured motorist and personal injury protection coverage programs to access financial aid when the at-fault driver remains unidentified.
Involving an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer to help navigate the complex legal system can massively impact the victim’s chances of getting fair compensation for their troubles. As such, victims should be diligently proactive when seeking justice to ensure that emotional and financial stress from the accident does not go unrewarded.