Who Pays Damages in a Hit-and-Run?

Imagine you are driving down the road in your car for work. Just then, out of nowhere, a speedy car tries to overtake you but fails. The driver hits your car. Eventually, you lose control over your car.

You are injured, but you are still conscious about your surroundings. You can see the driver taking off without even checking on you. He did not share insurance information with you either.

So, you are now a hit and run accident victim. Your car is damaged. You are severely injured. And then you think about one specific thing: who will pay for such an accident?

A hit and run accident leaves you with a lot of physical and emotional damage. It causes you severe injuries, damaged vehicles, and a lot of unpaid bills. 

This blog post will discuss what you can do after a hit-and-run accident. I will also guide you through possible recovery compensation options to cover your injuries and other losses. 

What is a Hit-and-Run Accident? 

A driver comes in contact with you or your vehicle while driving on the road. If the driver doesn’t share any insurance information or stop to help, that’s when it is considered a hit-and-run accident. 

A hit and run accident can include: 

• A vehicle on a bicycle
• A vehicle on a pedestrian
• Collision between vehicles. 

There are a total of 2872 fatalities that have occurred due to hit and run accidents. The percentage has increased by 11% from 2020. Almost 1802 pedestrian fatalities are caused by hit-and-run accidents.

Recovering Damages When the at-fault Driver Is Located

The process of recovering gets much easier once the driver at fault can be located. It becomes their liability to cover for the damage.

The damage includes liabilities related to physical injury. Thus, it specifically covers medical expenses, lost wages, along with pain and suffering.

A hit-and-run accident victim will be a third party while claiming a file with the driver’s fault insurance company. 

In this process, you would require a few basic things, such as: 

• Police reports
• Statement from the witness 
• Photographic or video pieces of evidence
• Medical bills 
• Estimation for repairment 
• Other documents related to expenses.

There can be cases where at-fault driver’s insurance is not sufficient to cover the victim’s damage. Then, the victim can claim some additional expenses as well. 

These were just the civil liabilities. During a hit and run accident, the at-fault driver may also face some serious criminal charges. This can lead to:

• Fines 
• License suspension 
• Imprisonment. 

One must identify the driver at fault. This increases the likelihood of the victim to receive total compensation for the loss. Holding the guest accountable does not only help in your recovery. It also promotes a sense of justice for the victims. 

During hit-and-run accident, it is necessary to locate the at-fault driver. As a result, it increases victim’s ability to recover from economic and non-economic losses. 

What to Do When the Other Driver Can Not Be Found?

We know that whenever we make a mistake or hurt someone, we should take responsibility for our actions. 

When it comes to hit-and-run accidents, things get frustrating. In most cases, the drivers clearly refuse their negligence or guilt. If the driver is never found, it becomes difficult to recover compensation. 

The law firms believe that there is still a way to help you recover compensation for your injuries. The law professionals can help you handle all your paperwork and guide you through your insurance negotiations. 

This way, you can better focus on your treatment and medication instead of worrying about legal battles. 

I know everything might seem a little unsettling at first, especially when you cannot find the driver who caused the hit-and-run accident. However, many believe that uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can be useful during these times. 

The Uninsured motorist coverage 

Uninsured motorist or UM coverage mainly talks about an auto insurance policy. This comes into action when you are injured, and the driver does not have insurance.

A UM coverage covers three things: 

• Your injuries
• Your passengers’ injuries, if you had any 
• Lastly, your damaged vehicle. 

In some states, it is necessary to add an auto insurance policy such as UM or Uninsured motorist coverage. In other states, UM coverage is optional. You can add them when necessary. 

The Uninsured motorist coverage 

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage mainly refers to an auto insurance policy. It comes into action when you are injured and the driver does not have insurance.

A UM coverage covers three things: 

• Your injuries
• Your passengers’ injuries, if you had any 
• Lastly, your damaged vehicle. 

In some states, it is necessary to add an auto insurance policy such as UM or Uninsured motorist coverage. In other states, UM coverage is optional. You can add them when necessary. 

The Underinsured motorist coverage 

Like Uninsured Motorist coverage, Underinsured Motorist coverage is another types of auto insurance. 

Suppose you are injured in an accident. The person responsible for your injury does not have sufficient insurance. That’s where the underinsured Motorist coverage comes into play.

The definition of underinsured and its effectiveness may vary based on different states. In some states, UIM or Underinsured Motorist coverage is necessary. On the other hand, you can purchase insurance as an endorsement for your policies.       

Seek for advice

To be honest, hit-and-run accidents can be very frustrating. You have to go through long processes to claim insurance and compensation. You might even need to stay for your medical treatments for several weeks. 

Amid everything, talking to a lawyer can be a big help. A professional lawyer can guide you to get the compensation you deserve. They can also help you to streamline the claiming process. 

They can also assist you in filing complaints and communicating with another expert. In this way, you can majorly focus on getting back on track and living a normal life.

Additional Reading:

• Personal Injury Claims for Car Accidents in Texas
• The Legal Process Of Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit In Arizona
• Expert Legal Strategies From a Redwood City Personal Injury Lawyer For Your Case