Although it is illegal to leave the scene after a crash, drivers flee, disregarding the safety of their victims. You’re likely to endure physical and emotional injuries after being injured in a hit and run accident. You may also endure financial difficulties due to expensive medical bills and the inability to work during recovery. As an injured victim, you deserve compensation for the losses you incur from the accident.
You should work with a legal professional who can explain your rights and steps for preserving your right to compensation. A car accident attorney can investigate the incident, gather evidence, and initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
After a hit and run accident, your actions can enhance your wellness and protect your rights as an injured victim.
Here’s what you can do if the driver flees the scene:
Get Immediate Medical Attention
You should get immediate medical attention after sustaining an injury in a hit and run accident.
Here’s how prompt action can help:
- Hidden Injuries: Following a hit and run crash, adrenaline can mask the pain from injuries sustained in the accident. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal damage, may not be immediately apparent. Seeking medical attention immediately ensures that a healthcare provider will diagnose and initiate treatment for all injuries.
- Documentation: Getting medical help immediately after a hit and run crash can also create a paper trail of your injuries. A car accident attorney can use medical records as evidence when seeking compensation for your damages and injuries.
- Protecting Your Right to Compensation: Delaying medical treatment can create doubt about the severity of your injuries, potentially affecting your ability to obtain fair compensation for your losses. An insurer can question your claim and losses if you delay seeking treatment.
File a Police Accident Report
You should inform your local police department if you are injured in a hit and run crash.
When a law enforcement officer arrives at the scene, they will generate a police accident report.
The report is an official crash record and provides essential details for further investigation. When you contact law enforcement, they will arrive at the scene to take statements from witnesses, assess damages, and gather evidence to determine what happened.
The police will also document the crash by recording the location, time, and road and weather conditions. They may also collect information from you and any witnesses at the scene. The different sources of evidence can join the events leading up to the hit and run and identify the responsible party. Additionally, the police will investigate the crash by examining any available surveillance footage, conducting interviews, and running a check on the vehicle involved.
In most jurisdictions, drivers must file a police accident report after a crash. For example, drivers must file a crash report in Florida if an accident results in the following:
- Property damage worth more than $500
- Injuries
- Fatalities
A car accident lawyer can use the findings in a police accident report to establish liability and support your compensation claim.
Inform Your Insurer About the Crash
You should notify your insurance provider about a hit and run accident immediately. Many insurers require their policyholders to make a notification about a crash within a specific timeline. Failing to inform your insurer promptly may result in a denial of your claim or a delay in receiving compensation. Your insurer may also assist you in working with law enforcement to identify the at-fault driver and hold them accountable for their actions.
Even if the other driver fled the scene, your insurance policy may cover damages under uninsured motorist coverage. By reporting the incident promptly, you can start the claims process and potentially recover damages for your injuries and vehicle repairs.
Do not commence settlement negotiations with an insurer without the support of a legal professional. A car accident attorney can level the playing field so the insurer doesn’t arm-twist you during negotiations.
Get in Touch With a Car Accident Attorney
You should also contact a car accident lawyer if you’re a victim of a hit and run accident. A skilled car accident attorney will carefully evaluate the merits of your case. They will review the details surrounding the incident, assess the extent of your injuries, and determine the best course of action to help you seek justice.
A car accident lawyer will also gather evidence to support your claim. The process may involve obtaining witness statements, analyzing police reports, and reviewing available surveillance footage. They can build a strong case on your behalf, increasing your chances of receiving fair compensation for your damages.
Most importantly, a car accident attorney can support you in initiating a compensation claim. From filing the necessary paperwork to negotiating with insurance companies, they will handle the legal aspects so you can focus on recovery. Having a car accident lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, ensuring that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Can I Sue for a Hit and Run
After experiencing the trauma of a hit and run accident, you may be wondering if you have the right to sue for damages. In most states, victims of hit and run accidents have legal options to seek compensation for their injuries and losses.
A hit and run accident lawyer can explore your options for compensation, including filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party.
One key aspect to consider when determining whether you can sue for a hit and run accident is the availability of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in your insurance policy. Your insurer can cover accident-related losses if the at-fault party has no or low insurance coverage.
You can file a car accident lawsuit if you don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. A judge or jury can issue an order that requires the at-fault party to pay for the losses using their assets or income. You can also sue if the at-fault party’s insurer rejects your claim or offers a low settlement. Suing after a hit and run accident allows for a neutral assessment of your case, which can lead to a favorable outcome.
Compensation for a Hit and Run
You can file a car accident claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for your losses. Compensation after a hit and run accident allows you to cope with the losses or reinstate your status before the injury.
Here are the damages you can receive in a hit and run accident:
Medical Expenses
One of the primary damages you can seek in a hit and run accident is compensation for medical expenses. These damages cover costs related to hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any other healthcare services required due to your injuries.
A hit and run accident attorney can use medical records to prove the extent of your injuries and to support your compensation claim.
Lost Income
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be eligible to receive compensation for lost income. Lost income includes earnings lost during your recovery period and potential future earnings if your injuries lead to long-term disabilities that impact your ability to work.
You can prove lost income using:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- Bank statements
- Profit and loss statements
- A letter from your employer
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
You may also seek compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred after a hit and run accident. These damages may include over-the-counter medication, transportation costs to medical appointments, home care services, and any other expenses directly related to your recovery.
A car accident lawyer can use medical records to prove that the out-of-pocket expenses were valid and reasonable.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages aim to compensate you for the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident. Compensation for this loss considers the pain, discomfort, anguish, and inconvenience you have experienced and will continue to endure due to the hit and run.
Loss of Companionship
If the accident resulted in the loss of a loved one or affected your relationships with family members, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship. These damages recngnize the crash’s impact on personal relationships and emotional well-being.
Reduced Quality of Life
In cases where your injuries have significantly impacted your ability to enjoy life as you did before the accident, you may be able to seek compensation for the reduced quality of life. These damages consider the limitations and challenges you face in daily activities and engaging in your usual hobbies and interests.
Emotional Anguish
Beyond physical injuries, hit and run accidents can also cause significant emotional distress. Compensation for emotional anguish allows you to cope with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or social disorder and other psychological effects resulting from the traumatic event.
For instance, you may be entitled to compensation if you suffered post-traumatic stress disorder if the events leading to the crash were traumatic.
Permanent Disability/Disfigurement
If the hit and run accident resulted in permanent disabilities or disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation. These damages compensate you for the long-term impact on your quality of life, ability to work, and overall well-being due to the lasting physical changes.
Punitive Damages
A judge or jury may award you punitive damages if the hit and run driver exhibited extreme negligence or intentional misconduct. As the name suggests, punitive damages punish the defendant for disregarding the safety of the injured victim.
It can also act as a deterrent to prevent the defendant and others from engaging in similar misconduct that led to the injury.
How Much Compensation Do You Get for a Hit and Run
Your ability to recover from injury-related losses depends on the settlement value you receive in a hit and run accident. There is no value you can expect in a hit and run accident. The outcome depends on the facts and circumstances of the accident.
Some of the factors that affect the value of a hit and run accident include:
Severity of an Injury
The severity of an injury has an impact on the settlement value of a hit and run claim. Suppose you’ve sustained serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or internal organ damage.
In that case, the value of your case may be higher due to the extensive medical treatment, long-term care needs, and potential loss of income.
On the other hand, you may receive a lower settlement value for minor injuries like cuts or sprains. Severe injuries often require expensive medical treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
Severe injuries are also likely to cause a psychological impact on the injured victim, which necessitates a higher settlement value. A car accident lawyer can use medical records to prove the severity of an injury and push for a fair settlement value that matches your losses.
Shared Fault
In cases where both parties share responsibility for the accident, the value of your claim can be affected. If the shared fault principle applies in your claim, the compensation you receive may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
For example, an impaired hit and run driver who crashed into you while you were texting and driving. If your responsibility for fault is determined as 20%, your settlement value will be reduced by the same percentage.
A car accident attorney can use evidence to protect you from being unfairly blamed for the crash.
Availability of Evidence
You require evidence to prove how the at-fault party’s negligence contributed to the crash. Therefore, the more evidence you have, the stronger your claim against the at-fault party becomes.
You’ll also likely receive a higher settlement value if you prove your losses and injuries. A car accident attorney can collect different sources of evidence and work tirelessly to maximize your settlement value.
You Deserve Justice: Get Legal Support After a Hit and Run Crash
You may find it difficult to enjoy life after being injured in a hit and run accident. A severe injury can prevent you from participating in evening walks, your favorite activity. You may also endure anxiety disorders if the events leading to the accident were traumatic.
A car accident attorney understands the impact of injuries and the types of losses you may have suffered. They can use evidence to negotiate with insurers and push for a fair settlement value that covers your losses.
Get in touch with a car accident lawyer for legal support.
