A hit and run accident occurs when one vehicle collides with another, and the driver that caused the wreck to occur does not remain at the scene. A hit and run collision may occur when the responsible party fails to stop at all or if they simply leave law enforcement arrives.
If you have been injured by a negligent driver who fled the scene, speak with a Douglasville hit and run accident lawyer immediately. An experienced attorney could help you pursue compensation even if law enforcement is unable to find the responsible party.
A typical hit and run accident may occur on side streets, usually in the evening or early morning on the weekends. Instead of pulling over to exchange information or waiting for the police to come as the law requires, the responsible party drives off, possibly leaving someone with injuries in need of immediate medical attention.
Hit and run cases may happen when a driver rear-ends another vehicle or when someone fails to yield at an intersection. In these situations, collisions may occur in a T-bone manner when one driver fails to stop at an intersection and hits another vehicle’s broadside.
A hit and run collision may have the same measure of damages that are recoverable in any other motor vehicle collision case. A seasoned hit and run car wreck lawyer in Douglasville could asses a claimant’s losses and determine the damages to which they may be entitled. Some of the damages an injured party may recover include:
Punitive damages may be tied to hit and run accidents when the court determines that the driver who fled the scene acted in a particularly egregious and reckless manner. If the responsible party was intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, or using their cellphone at the time, the plaintiff may be able to recover punitive damages.
In the event that law enforcement cannot find the negligent driver, a Douglasville hit and run attorney could set up a claim with the injured party’s insurance company under an underinsured or uninsured motorist plan. This policy allows someone to recover compensation even if the person responsible for their injuries does not have sufficient or any insurance to compensate them. Therefore, if a driver leaves the scene of an accident, an injured claimant can still recover.
After someone suffers injuries in a hit-and-run accident, the first step is to seek medical care immediately. Then they should take actions to preserve evidence such as taking pictures of their injuries and vehicle. Once a claimant completes these steps, they should research and contact a Douglasville lawyer who has experience in hit and run cases.
Legal professionals have more experience in investigating these types of accidents. Additionally, a lawyer may have more resources and databases available to try to find the driver who left the scene of an accident.
If you have been involved in a collision where the responsible driver fled the scene, speak with a Douglasville hit and run accident lawyer. They could help you pursue the justice you deserve and help you file compensation with your insurance company.
If you have been struggling to find an attorney to take your case, our firm is here to help. To learn what legal counsel could do for you, reach out today.