What is a “Hit and Run” Accident and What Can You Do to Claim Damages?

Image source: Unsplash

A ‘hit and run’ car accident is just what it sounds like, your car gets hit by someone and instead of the driver stopping to help you out or communicating with you, they simply run away. This can happen with you inside of the car or your car parked with you far away. 

While hit and runs can be part of car accidents, they can also happen with you as a pedestrian getting hit by a car that runs away, or an object that you own that was damaged by the hit.

However, with no contact information or insurance information from the offending driver, how can you claim damages from them? 

The Consequences of a Hit and Run

Now, before we get started on what we can do if you are a victim, we need to look at what you have to do if you are ever on the receiving end of a hit and run. Now, it is against the law to leave the scene of a hit and run. 

If someone gets injured, then you could pay several fines for either a felony or misdemeanor depending on the state. You could also have your driver’s license revoked, have increased insurance rates, and also (as you will see) have lawsuits brought against you for medical bills, lost wages due to the accident, and property damage.

So, if you are ever in a car accident, no matter how worried you might seem or how scared you might be, make sure to stop and check to make sure everything and everyone is alright.

What Do You Do After A Hit and Run Accident?

Try to get a picture of the license plate, or if you have a quick memory, try to memorize the speeding car’s license plate and get as much information as you can about the vehicle make and model. This will allow law enforcement to find the car, either by looking for the car itself, or interviewing witnesses and checking security cameras for more information. 

Additionally, either contact 911 yourself or have a bystander do it if there are any injuries to you or others at the scene of the hit and run. Once everyone is okay, then you can start the legal process of claiming damages for either medical bills or the damages to your car or your property.

Consult an Expert Lawyer With Extensive Hit and Run Accident Experience

Getting into a hit and run, especially if you were injured, can be extremely stressful and scary. Additionally, since you don’t know who to punish or who to fight against, you can have a lot of anger and stress that doesn’t have an outlet. 

In order to make sure that you can handle the situation effectively and claim the compensation that you deserve, you need to get a great lawyer who knows all the ins and outs of hit and run cases. Finding a great lawyer means doing some research and looking through various options that you have in your local area can really help you out. 

Then you can recover damages that are the product of a hit-and-run accident, and also make sure to get the compensation you need from the other driver once they are found. Pick a lawyer who can communicate clearly, knows the law backward and forward, and has a strong track record in order to get the best success whenever it comes to your case.

Hit and runs can be very stressful, but with a good lawyer on your side you can ensure that your stress levels go down and the compensation you get goes up!