Over 2.5 million persons in the United States are involved in car accidents annually. These accidents include several hit and run incidents. A hit-and-run accident occurs when a car collision occurs, and one of the drivers involved flees the scene without providing their insurance information or following the law. When you have a hit and run lawyer on your side, you won’t have to worry about the legal process.
After a car accident, several issues might arise, including issues with the insurance company, damages, and compensation claims. A lawyer can effectively represent you in court and provide sound legal counsel, whether you are a negligent driver or a car accident victim.
Table Of Contents
What are hit and run accidents?
In a hit and run accident, the at-fault driver strikes another object or person but leaves the scene without:
- Checking if the other person who got hit by a car is okay
- Without informing the police
- And giving Information about the accident
Every hit and run accident must include two key components:
- The driver at fault failed to report the collision to the police, and there was property damage and injury.
- Death as a result of the collision.
An at-fault driver in a hit-and-run accident seeks to escape their obligation to the victims they have injured. These mishaps can occur to you while driving, crossing the street, or driving your parked automobile, so having a hit and run lawyer by the side is very important.
What Steps Should You Take After a Car Accident?
Even though car accidents are common, it is still crucial that you act quickly after one occurs. To acquire legal representation and the maximum compensation you are entitled to, you must follow all the legal procedures. Following an automobile collision, you should do the following:
Call 911
You must call the authorities as soon as possible. Calling the police or paramedics is crucial for gathering evidence, whether you are the at-fault driver or a victim of the at-fault driver.
Request copies of the police reports and any injury records that resulted from the car accident. These documents are essential for submitting a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses, and your lawyer will want access to them.
Report the accident to the police
It is crucial to report all accidents, no matter how minor. When dialing 911, be sure to describe the automobile accident scene, your location, and the degree of any injuries you or the other party (if any) may have.
List everything that occurred in detail.
Think back to the events just before the accident and try to recall them. If you or the other driver were speeding, talking on the phone, swerving, or engaging in any other behavior that fits the definition of a DUI, this might help prove negligence.
Assemble proof against the driver
It would be best to collect testimony from witnesses and supporting materials for your case. Record the scene using audio, video, and photographs.
Hire a hit and run lawyer
Getting legal representation will greatly improve your chances of winning your case. An attorney will serve your best interests by giving you access to your legal alternatives and thorough legal expertise. Your case will be reviewed by an expert member of our team who will be able to provide legal counsel and start the process of obtaining the settlement sum you are entitled to.
What Can a Hit and Run Lawyer Do for You after a Car accident?
The followings are some qualities that a hit and run lawyer have:
- Gather crucial Information about the auto accident, such as witness testimonies, police reports, medical records, vehicle inspections, and expert witness reports.
- On your behalf, he will handle and conduct all correspondence, whether legal or insurance-related.
- Assess responsibility.
- Determine claims for compensation and damages.
- Represent you in negotiations and mediation.
- Throughout the procedure, fight for your interests.
Benefits of having a hit and run lawyer by your side
dealing with Your Insurance Company
You should contact an insurance provider to seek compensation after the car accident. However, you must fight the insurance provider to receive significant reimbursement. Insurance companies are vested in seeing car accident victims receive the least amount possible, if not nothing. To do this, they employ insurance adjusters who work in their best interest to irritate accident victims. They can use their methods to get you to give in to pressure or irritation and accept lowball offers. However, the scenario drastically changes if you work with a reputable auto accident lawyer. These lawyers have years of experience and are skilled at winning when dealing with insurance companies.
Analyze Your Case to See If You Have One
Only some situations are eligible for compensation, depending on their specifics. You also want to save your hard-earned time and money on a case that will ultimately be fruitless. But once more, do you have the background knowledge to make this determination? Probably not. A professional auto accident attorney will evaluate your case and advise whether you should file a claim. They give you advice on the statute of limitations as well. These are rules established for who can file claims and when they can be filed.
Show Your Injuries to support your case.
You must demonstrate that the accident caused your injuries to be paid for the claim. It won’t be enough to display the scars and broken limbs. So, how do you back up your assertion? You require the greatest auto accident attorney. The attorney will conduct a thorough investigation and gather evidence to develop a solid and convincing case for your claim. To support your claim, they will gather police reports, speak with witnesses, and recreate the accident scene.
Make a value determination for your claim.
What are you claiming is worth? Well, it went much beyond only the medical bills and lost pay. You can file for a very low or very high amount if you need a prior understanding of claim evaluation. The likelihood of winning the lawsuit is reduced if the valuation is off, or you may have to pay some costs out of pocket. Working with a car accident lawyer will help you get adequately paid. The precise amount of your claim will be estimated by the attorney. This will consider both the costs incurred and the discomfort brought on by the mishap.
Attempting To Negotiate A Settlement
Negotiation is required when pursuing the claim to reach a reasonable car accident settlement. Both the responsible party and the insurance provider may be involved in these. You will undoubtedly lose the claim if you don’t properly comprehend your situation and its details. Experienced auto accident lawyers are skilled negotiators comparable to insurance adjusters. They will negotiate and prove your case with strong evidence to get a fair settlement.
Represent you in a court
The case goes to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached during the negotiation stage. Here, you’ll need to convince a jury of your case against knowledgeable attorneys defending the insurance company. This can be not easy if you haven’t had much courtroom experience. Should feel secure in knowing that an expert is presenting your case and defending you in court. They also offer advice on improving your chances of receiving a larger settlement sum. If the issue goes to a car accident lawsuit, make sure the attorney you choose has experience conducting trials. You might be forced to accept low sums by a novice attorney to avoid going to court.
Stop You From Undermining Your Case
You can make various claims when pursuing the claim that will work against you. For instance, your insurance provider can ask you to submit a written or recorded statement about your case. The insurer may use inaccurate Information against you to avoid claiming damages. Insurance firms frequently employ this strategy, particularly when dealing with claimants without legal representation. They’ll ask you hard questions, and if you react innocently or inappropriately, it might hurt your case. Hire a vehicle accident lawyer immediately after the collision to avoid this.
Conclusion
The experience of being in a car accident can be terrible and traumatic. However, the best hit and run lawyer can advise you regarding your legal options in such a circumstance. You should get in touch with car accident lawyers if you’ve been hurt in a hit-and-run collision. The lawyer can ensure you receive just reimbursement from your insurance carrier since they represent customers with hit-and-run, uninsured motorists, and phantom vehicle claims daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
In California, is it legal to bring a case after a hit-and-run?
For any of these reasons, you could be allowed to file a lawsuit if police are successful in apprehending a driver who fled the scene of a pedestrian collision. Legal action against a hit-and-run driver in California can be filed up to two years after the collision.
I was hit and left. Can I make a claim?
Any claim you make for general, and special damages will be handled by the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) if you were hurt or traumatized in a hit-and-run accident and the person who caused the accident fled the scene, making it impossible for you to find them and file a claim against them.
How soon must a hit-and-run be reported?
Police Reporting Responsibilities Within 24 hours, you must bring your driving license to a police station or an authorized traffic officer’s office to report the collision.
Should you chase a hit and run?
The wisest course of action if you are in a hit and run collision is to stop and notify the authorities. Although it can be tempting, avoid attempting to follow the other motorist because doing so can be extremely risky and make a bad situation even worse.