In the chaotic aftermath of a hit and run accident, you may find yourself grappling with extensive physical injuries, mental trauma, and financial burdens. Among these challenges, you must take specific steps and make certain decisions, one of the most important being deciding whether to hire an accident attorney.
The choice to hire a hit and run accident lawyer can significantly impact your ability to recover damages and the outcome of your case. Getting the legal help you need following a hit and run can make all the difference for you and your future. But before doing so, it’s helpful to comprehend why you need an attorney on your side.
What is a Hit and Run Accident?
![Accident between a car and a cyclist presented with bicycle in the rearview mirror](https://www.steffenslaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/What-is-a-Hit-and-Run-Accident.jpg)
A hit and run is exactly what it sounds like: a motorist hits your vehicle and runs off.
Getting into an accident is stressful enough as it is. You might face injuries and property damage, and you may be unsure of what to do. At the very least, you know you should stop at the scene and exchange information with the other driver. But what if there is no other driver? This can add a level of complexity to your situation.
Unfortunately, many drivers do not stop after causing a collision to do the right thing. Hit and run accidents happen more frequently than they should, with more than 700,000 hit and run crashes occurring in a recent year. That translates to one hit and run accident every 43 seconds.
Hit and run collisions don’t just affect other drivers. A large majority of pedestrian accidents are hit and runs. Recently, data showed 25 percent of pedestrian deaths in a single year were caused by hit and run accidents.
A hit and run collision case can be devastating and particularly confusing to navigate. This is one of the primary reasons to seek qualified legal advice and guidance from a hit and run accident attorney.
Why Hit and Runs Happen
It’s difficult to understand how or why someone would intentionally flee after causing an accident. However, there are many reasons why drivers leave the scene of a crash.
Most commonly, motorists are fearful. While this may not seem like a good enough excuse to avoid doing the right thing, fear can make you act irrationally, and common sense may go out the door. At the moment a driver causes an accident, a million thoughts may go through their heads, and the only logical thing to do, in their minds, is to drive away.
Other drivers flee, believing if they don’t get caught, they’ll escape all liability and financial responsibility. Although that logic might make sense at the moment, it’s never wise to leave an accident scene, especially one you’ve caused. Nowadays, it’s much easier to be found after a hit and run.
Additionally, some motorists are under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. When a person is impaired, they don’t think clearly. Alcohol and other substances can impair a person’s judgment and cause them to make irrational decisions. Some motorists may also worry about more serious repercussions, such as drunk driving charges, if they remain at the scene.
Regardless of a driver’s reason to leave the scene of a collision they caused, it is never justified. Leaving a crash victim alone with no help can make the situation much worse for everyone involved.
Repercussions of a Hit and Run
In most states, the law dictates drivers must stop at the scene of an accident to render aid and provide their information. Failing to do so can result in criminal penalties.
Also, if caught, hit and run motorists can face civil liability. A person responsible for causing a crash is financially liable for resulting injuries, expenses, and losses.
Therefore, a hit and run can result in both civil and criminal liability. A driver only worsens their situation by leaving the scene of a crash.
The Challenges of a Hit and Run Collision Case
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Any car accident case can be complicated, but hit and run cases can be especially complex. A hit and run crash is usually more convoluted than other types of accident cases, as victims face additional challenges, including:
- Identifying who’s to blame: One of the biggest issues with hit and run cases is not knowing who is at fault. It can be tough to locate the at-fault driver, which can delay the entire process.
- Minimal evidence: Hit and run cases usually feature very limited evidence. Evidence is key in accident claims, and without strong evidence, it can be hard to reach a positive case result.
- Mental and emotional challenges: The unanticipated nature of hit and runs and the strong sense of injustice caused by the driver leaving the accident scene can cause significant mental and emotional difficulties. Some hit and run victims develop anxieties and fears they didn’t have before their collision, making it harder to cope.
- Financial difficulties: Any type of accident can cause financial burdens. However, these burdens may seem a bit heavier after experiencing a hit and run and not knowing who to hold liable or how to pursue compensation.
If you’re hurt in a hit and run accident, you don’t have to face your struggles alone. Hit and run accident lawyers are available to protect your rights and make sure you get the compensation you deserve under the law.
Do You Need to Hire an Attorney Following a Hit and Run?
By law, you are not required to hire legal counsel to represent you following a car accident. This means that, if you choose, you can represent yourself throughout your claim. Now, is this the wisest choice? Usually, no.
All accident claims are challenging to handle. Add in the complication of a hit and run, and you can face even more trying times ahead. When you hire an accident lawyer, you don’t have to navigate your situation alone. You can feel confident knowing you have a strong legal ally on your side at every moment.
In most cases, hiring a lawyer can yield much better results than handling your case entirely on your own.
The Role of a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
Understanding the role of an attorney after a hit and run can provide further motivation to consult one. Once you fully comprehend how a skilled lawyer can benefit your claim, there likely won’t be many remaining doubts in your mind.
Applying Legal Knowledge of Hit and Run Collisions
The laws concerning hit and run accidents vary greatly depending on your state. Accident attorneys know these laws and procedures backward and forward. As a hit and run victim with little to no experience handling collision claims, the experience and knowledge of a lawyer are invaluable to your claim.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
After a hit and run, you may not even know you have legal rights as a victim. When you consult an accident attorney, they can provide much-needed clarity concerning your rights and options. Your lawyer can also advise you on what to do and not do moving forward to ensure your rights remain protected.
Investigating Your Hit and Run Accident
![Bags of Evidence](https://www.steffenslaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Accident-Investigation-And-Evidence-Gathering.jpg)
Hit and run accidents often require an even more in-depth investigation than other types of auto collisions. An hit and run accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation, which involves:
- Collecting evidence: Your lawyer can gather any evidence that can benefit your case and help hold the responsible party accountable, including witness statements, surveillance footage, and police reports.
- Utilizing resources: Attorneys can tap into their network and work with other professionals and experts to analyze your crash and find answers.
- Identifying the liable driver: Your attorney can do everything possible to try to pinpoint who caused your collision and track them down.
The investigation process after a hit and run might require time and patience, but you can rely on your accident attorney to find information that aids your case and pursuit of justice.
Determining How Best to Pursue Compensation
A misconception exists around hit and run accidents that victims are unable to recover compensation for their injuries and losses. While it may be more difficult to pursue financial recovery, it’s not impossible to obtain the compensation you need.
Of course, the best way to pursue monetary recovery is either through the at-fault driver’s insurance or by filing a personal injury lawsuit against them. However, in the meantime, before you know their identify, you may have some options to seek compensation, including:
- PIP insurance: Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is required in no-fault states. You can file a claim through your own policy to recover compensation for your injuries and lost income.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This type of insurance is required in some states, while other states offer it as an add-on. Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) helps protect you in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. UM also typically covers hit and run accidents, allowing you to receive financial recovery for your injuries and losses.
- Health insurance: While not the ideal situation, you could rely on your health insurance to help cover your medical expenses for your accident injuries. Health insurance may not cover everything, but it can minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.
Based on the circumstances, an accident attorney can provide quality advice to help you decide what to do. Hit and run accident lawyers aim to curtail a client’s collision-related expenses as much as possible, as hit and run collisions can be costly.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
When you file an insurance claim, even with your own insurance, companies investigate to gather details about the collision. With this information, they decide whether to approve or deny the claim. Even if they do approve the claim, they may be reluctant to provide a fair settlement. Insurance companies are looking out for their best interests, which aren’t normally the same as yours.
When you have an accident attorney handling your case, you don’t have to worry about dealing with the insurance company. Your lawyer can negotiate for a just settlement on your behalf and ensure you’re never taken advantage of.
Handling Your Case Timely
Time is of the essence with accident claims, especially when you need compensation. Failing to promptly handle your claim can negatively impact your ability to reach a fair result.
Accident lawyers are familiar with all timelines associated with your type of claim. When you have a lawyer on your case, you can rest assured everything is handled timely.
Providing Support and Peace of Mind
Following a hit and run, you’ll likely experience some trying moments. Among the many jobs an accident attorney has, one of the most important ones is that of supporter. Your attorney will be by your side from beginning to end, helping you feel less alone and more at ease.
When is the Best Time to Consult a Hit and Run Accident Attorney?
![A gavel and a name plate with the engraving Hit and run](https://www.steffenslaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Why-Do-I-Need-to-Hire-a-Hit-and-Run-Accident-Attorney.jpg)
After a hit and run, you should take some time to begin focusing on your physical recovery and mental well-being. However, as soon as you’re able, you should schedule a consultation with a local lawyer.
Time is limited to take action following a hit and run collision. Also, the sooner you get going with your case, the better the chances of obtaining strong evidence that can lead to the identification of the responsible motorist. Therefore, you shouldn’t wait to get assistance from an experienced legal advocate.
After a Hit and Run, Don’t Wait to Seek Qualified Legal Guidance Today
Following a hit and run collision, hiring a personal injury attorney is not just advisable, it’s essential. From explaining your legal rights and supporting you through the process to aggressively pursuing answers and filing legal claims, a lawyer plays a vital role in securing the best possible outcome for your case.
When you seek prompt legal representation after a hit and run, you’re protecting your rights, enhancing your chances of obtaining beneficial compensation, and beginning your journey to justice.