Being involved in a hit and run accident can be a highly disorienting experience. While you might not be prepared for a car accident to happen, you would still expect the other driver to stay on the accident scene until the concerned authorities arrive. If the negligent driver flees the accident scene while are waiting for help to arrive with your injuries and damaged vehicle, it can further worsen the issue. You may want to hire a hit and run accident lawyer to help you with your case.
All the involved drivers are legally obliged to wait for the police to arrive after getting involved in an accident. Moreover, the parties involved in the accident must exchange their contact information and insurance details with each other. Therefore, the consequences of a hit and run accident are graver in comparison to other traffic accidents.
Suing for Damages
Whether or not you can sue for a hit and run accident depends on if the local police are able to catch the other driver. If they have located them, then you can recover the compensation amount for the injuries and damages you sustained in the accident.
If they haven’t found the other driver, then you might have to pay for all the expenses yourself. It is essential to share each and every detail with the police and your lawyer to help them in finding the other driver.
Types of Damages You May Receive
You will have to prove that the negligence of the other driver caused you intentional harm to successfully receive the compensation. In a hit and run accident, you can get a higher damage compensation since the other driver tried to flee the accident scene.
The types of damages in a hit and run accident includes:
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repair expenses
- Medical bills
The amount usually varies, depending on the unique circumstances of the accident. The financial situation of the negligent party, and how much the court finds them liable. The damages might be both punitive and actual.
The punitive damages are typically awarded to punish the negligent party for their actions to ensure that they don’t act the same way in the future.
Filing an Insurance Claim
In the situation the police are unable to find the other driver despite their efforts. You can still recover some of the damages by filing an insurance claim. However, this mostly depends on the type of insurance policy you have.
The insurance company might try to reject your insurance claim or pressurize you into accepting an unfair insurance settlement. Hiring a professional hit and run accident lawyer is highly recommended to assist you with the insurance claim.
Hit and Run Accident lawyer | Attorney Javier Marcos
Having a hit and run accident lawyer with you also increases the chances of finding the other driver. The legal team has the resources and sources necessary to conduct a much thorough investigation than the police by hiring private investigators and other experts. Once they locate the negligent driver, your attorney will sue them for the accident on your behalf. And will make sure you recover the best possible compensation for the damages sustained. Call Attorney Javier Marcos for help 24 hrs. There is always free consultations and no payment unless we win the case. Call now 713.999.4444.
Espanol:
Por qué contratar a un abogado de accidentes de Hit and Run | Abogado Javier Marcos
