Being involved in a hit and run accident is one of life’s curveballs. If suffering an accident is bad enough, imagine the frustration at the guilty party driving away. It means that not only are you left dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath of the accident, but now you have to cope with wondering what your legal options are.
What’s more, this becomes even worse when the victim is a pedestrian. Nothing strikes more fear into someone than being hit by a moving vehicle, especially if that driver flees the scene.
Hiring a hit and run accident attorney is right in these situations because they have the knowledge to help scale the many legal walls between you and your rights under the law. You have the right to claim compensation for any injuries or other related damages.
A hit and run lawyer will take on all the claim’s particulars on your behalf, working tirelessly to maximize any claim you make. Don’t face the battle without contacting an attorney near you to get the help and support you deserve during this challenging time.
What Is a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer?
A hit and run accident lawyer is someone who represents victims of hit and run accidents. These accidents occur when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to provide information or offer assistance to the injured party. In these cases, you have little choice but to consult a hit and run accident lawyer who can identify the best way to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Motorists have a duty of care when operating their vehicles on the road. This duty includes following traffic laws, paying attention to their surroundings, and taking precautions to prevent accidents. When a driver injures another party and flees, a hit and run accident lawyer will become necessary, especially if a lawsuit is required further down the line. They will ensure your claim receives the care it needs and use their understanding of prior cases to fight your corner.
What Happens After a Pedestrian Hit and Run Accident?
Pedestrian hit and run accidents have become a growing concern in recent years. Moreover, with the increasing number of fast-moving electric vehicles on the market, pedestrians face a higher threat than ever before. According to national statistics, electric vehicle-related pedestrian accidents have been on the rise. This danger includes not only cars but also e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards.
Using Auto Insurance
If you have been in a hit and run accident as a pedestrian, it’s wise to understand your legal options. Depending on your state and your insurance coverage, you might claim damages through your auto insurance.
Health Insurance and Other Options
Additionally, you may have other options, such as utilizing your health insurance to cover medical expenses or seeking compensation from state victim compensation funds. Most states have some form of victim support, though you must research your state’s particular resources.
However, understanding these options can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event. It is in moments like this that a hit and run accident lawyer can help. They have the knowledge to guide you through the legal landscape, ensuring that all available tools are used to your advantage.
Common Injuries Sustained in Hit and Run Accidents
A hit and run accident can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which can cause lifelong problems and pain. Of course, defenseless pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries when involved in a hit and run accident. Some of the most common injuries sustained in these accidents include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
The force of impact in a hit and run accident can cause severe head trauma, leading to traumatic brain injuries. TBIs can result in long-term cognitive, behavioral, and physical impairments.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A hit and run accident can also cause spinal cord injuries, which can result in partial or complete paralysis and lifelong medical complications.
Internal Organ Damage
The impact from a hit and run accident can cause internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or damage to vital organs. These injuries may require immediate medical attention and long-term treatment.
Broken Bones
Pedestrians involved in hit and run accidents often suffer from broken bones, which can lead to significant pain, limited mobility, and the need for extensive medical treatment.
These injuries can have a devastating impact on a victim’s life. Depending on the severity, such damage might require lengthy and expensive rehabilitation paired with lost future earnings. As a victim, it’s important to understand your rights.
You have the right to compensation for a whole range of damages caused by the hit and run accident. Additionally, you have the right to access surveillance footage or witness statements that may help your case. Only a hit and run lawyer with experience in this field can unlock the best possible settlement.
How Do I Seek Compensation for Being Injured as a Pedestrian?
Seeking compensation for injuries sustained in a hit and run accident as a pedestrian can be a grueling journey. Insurance companies may try to minimize your claim or deny it altogether, making a hit and run accident lawyer invaluable.
A hit and run accident lawyer has the skills and wisdom to assist in filing a claim. Their goal is to prove that another party was liable for your injuries and seek compensation from their insurance company. If they can achieve this, your case can take off.
When making a claim, there are two types of damages you may be eligible for: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These damages include the following:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Earnings
- Vehicle Damage
- Property Damage
- Future Medical Expenses and other tangible financial losses, such as temporary vehicle replacement, taxis, or bus rides to medical treatments.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages, on the other hand, encompass any impact the accident has had on your quality of life, such as:
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of Life Enjoyment
- Loss of Consortium
To maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation, work with a hit and run accident lawyer. They have a deep understanding of personal injury laws and the tactics used by insurance companies to dismiss or undervalue claims. With their guidance, they will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What Are My Rights if My Car Is Hit?
Hit and run law for car drivers differs from pedestrians. If your car is hit by another vehicle and the at-fault driver flees the scene, you still have rights. It’s important to contact a hit and run accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your interests.
In a hit and run motor accident, the first step is to gather as much information as possible, though realistically, you might have suffered injuries and need immediate medical help. This process includes taking photographs of the accident scene, noting any details about the other vehicle involved, and collecting witness statements if available. Providing this information to your hit and run accident lawyer will allow them to build a strong case on your behalf.
Depending on your insurance coverage, you might make a claim through your own insurance company for damages to your vehicle. However, it’s important to note that insurance companies may try to minimize your claim or delay the process. Working with a hit and run accident lawyer will help ensure that your rights are protected and you receive compensation for the damage to your vehicle.
Have You Suffered a Hit and Run Accident?
If you have suffered a hit and run accident, you must take immediate action. The aftermath of such an event can be daunting, both physically and emotionally. Contacting a hit and run accident lawyer should be one of your first steps to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies often employ tactics to lowball, stall, or dismiss a claim. They may downplay the extent of your injuries or dispute liability. Dealing with these tactics can be frustrating and exhausting, especially when you are already dealing with the physical and emotional toll of the accident.
What Happens If I Can Identify the Offending Driver?
If you can find out who caused your damages, your case dynamics will change dramatically. Discovering the driver’s identity activates new channels for seeking compensation and justice beyond relying on underinsured motorist policies.
Holding the Party Responsible
Following a positive identity of an offending hit and run driver, your legal journey will change, and your claim will expand into broader categories for exploring compensation. This means you can now pursue damages directly from the at-fault driver, which will lead to a better compensation package overall.
How Knowing the Driver’s Identity Helps
You will now have a concrete platform to launch your case, making it harder for your insurance company to fight the claim or dispute liability. Leaving the scene of a car accident is a serious offense, which will only strengthen your case and subsequent settlement amount.
Filing a Lawsuit
If you can find enough evidence to identify the liable driver, you might file a lawsuit that can include heavier, non-economic, or even punitive damages. An underinsured motorist policy may not include many of these features.
How An Attorney Establishes Negligence
Tort law revolves around negligence, which in turn forms the basis of personal injury law, whereby someone’s recklessness or carelessness makes them liable. Even if the at-fault driver in a hit and run accident remains unknown, their negligence is key to your claim for damages.
A hit and run lawyer must prove negligence in a hit and run accident case based on the following factors:
Duty of Care
A driver must maintain their duty of care to other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. Acts such as not yielding demonstrate a breach of this expectation.
Breach of Duty
A hit and run accident attorney needs to demonstrate how another driver breached their duty of care through erratic or unsafe driving.
Causation
By linking the other party’s actions to the accident, a lawyer can show how the liable party’s actions caused your damages.
Damages
Proving the outcome of another driver’s actions is down to the claimant, who will need to document all their injuries and evidence of financial losses to claim damages. They will likely be suffering emotional trauma.
Why Contacting An Attorney Will Help You
Contacting a hit and run accident lawyer will provide you with the best weapon to face all the legal hurdles of a hit and run accident claim. They will gather the following evidence to ensure your case meets the requirements for maximum compensation:
- Witness statements
- Statements from responding police officers
- Surveillance from the accident scene
- Receipts and documentation for all vehicle and property damage
- Medical records and reports
- Video dashcam footage
- Photographic evidence taken at the scene
- A thorough survey of the scene
A hit and run accident lawyer will ensure that you understand your legal options and fight for your rights every step of the way. Their goal is to negotiate the best possible settlement with tricky auto insurance companies, providing you with the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Call a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been a victim of a hit and run accident, don’t wait to take action. Contact a hit and run accident lawyer near you to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Remember, most car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t charge any fees unless they win your case. It ensures the cost of legal representation is not a barrier to seeking the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call a hit and run accident lawyer today and let them be your advocate in this difficult time. Contact an attorney near you and get the help and support you need to get cover for your damages. Don’t face the aftermath of a hit and run accident without a skilled lawyer to guide you towards a more secure future.