Hit and Run

It is illegal for drivers to leave an accident site without providing vital information to the other motorist, notifying authorities, and offering aid if someone is injured. Such is true whether a motorist collides with another vehicle on the road, a parked car, a pedestrian, or a bike. If there is a severe injury or death due to the accident, fleeing the scene might result in criminal charges.

If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you are entitled to compensation. Finding the at-fault driver and establishing that they were the cause of your injuries, on the other hand, may not be easy. You will have an advocate in your corner if you work with a hit and run accidents attorney from Wilson & Kinsman LLC. They will investigate your accident and do everything possible to recover compensation on your behalf.

Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t have to pay anything unless we get you and your family compensated. Contact our team now to learn more about how we can assist you.

What is a Hit and Run?

A “hit-and-run” occurs when a driver engaged in an accident fails to stop, exchange contact and insurance information, and provide the necessary help.

Hit-and-run incidents result in the same problems as regular automobile accidents. However, the injuries of a hit-and-run victim may be more severe since medical care takes more time. In addition, hit-and-run victims are less likely to get compensation for accident-related losses (such as car repairs and medical costs), mainly if the person who hit them is unknown.

What Are the Criminal Implications of a Hit and Run Accident?

In Indiana, all vehicles involved in an automobile accident must instantly follow numerous protocols, the most crucial of which is to pull over as quickly as possible. You’d also have to share information with the other party, whether that’s another driver or a pedestrian. Each accident will be treated differently depending on the degree of the damage and injuries sustained. Both drivers will be held legally liable for their roles in the collision, with fines or penalties imposed on one to compensate the other.

After an accident, young or inebriated drivers frequently panicked, fleeing the site before exchanging information or checking on the other party. This puts not just the other party’s safety in jeopardy, but also their own. If they’ve been hurt or their car has been damaged, driving immediately thereafter might result in much more damage. A traffic ticket is a minimum penalty for failing to pull over after an accident or follow the proper procedures. When there are damages or injuries, they will almost always face more severe accusations.

Failure to adhere to these standards may result in felony or misdemeanor charges. The criminal charges filed against the other party, on the other hand, have no bearing on your ability to recover compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. The financial recovery procedure is separate and apart from any criminal charges that may be brought against them. 

What Are the Employable Measures Following a Hit and Run Accident?

Even if the other driver departed the scene of the accident, there are still steps you can take to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome in your personal injury case. While the following recommendations are not required, they may eventually be beneficial to you in achieving your legal objectives. 

Following an accident, you should think about the following:

Keeping a Journal About the Accident and Your Injuries

Hit and run accidents attorney from Wilson & Kinsman LLC will listen to your version of the events and decide whether any of the facts you submit will be helpful in your case. Consider the following example: if you recall anything about the other driver’s vehicle, including its color, make, model, and other distinguishing characteristics, this information may help locate the irresponsible driver. It would help if you noted these specifics for future reference purposes.

Taking Photos of Your Vehicle’s Damage and Your Injuries

During the claims procedure, you will be required to demonstrate the seriousness of your injuries as well as the degree of the damage to your vehicle. It can be accomplished by photographing your outward injuries and your car. You will need to demonstrate that you have incurred physical injuries and financial losses as a result of the negligence of another motorist.

Notifying Your Insurance Company

Even if the accident was not your fault, you should tell your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident occurs. If you have underinsured or uninsured driver coverage, notifying your insurance carrier about the accident may assist you in receiving compensation.

If you cannot do these tasks on your own, don’t worry; your attorney will take care of them for you. They can take down your version of events, offer evidence of your injuries to the insurance company, and handle all discussions with the insurance company on your behalf. You are going through the financial recovery process alone should not be a source of concern. Wilson & Kinsman LLC is on your side in this situation. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our legal team now.

How Can Injured Hit and Run Victims Be Compensated?

Every auto liability policy in Indiana includes uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which is required by law to protect other drivers if you cause an accident. Although you can reject this additional coverage in writing, most individuals do not.

We can claim this insurance if you are injured in a hit-and-run accident and the police never identify the at-fault motorist. You most likely have a policy with the following restrictions if you have regular insurance that offers the basic legally needed coverage:

• $25,000 for one person injured in an accident you caused
• $50,000 in bodily injury for all victims of an accident you caused
• $25,000 for repairs to the other driver’s car in an accident you caused
• $50,000 for the physical injuries you suffered in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist

Our hit and run accidents attorney can assist you in filing a claim under this final form of insurance, documenting your losses and costs, and fighting for a settlement up to the policy limitations.

How Can a Lawyer Help if You Are Involved in a Hit and Run Accident?

It’s distressing and perplexing to be the victim of a hit-and-run motorist. You’ve been called as a witness in a criminal case. You’ll almost certainly need to file a claim with your insurance company. To collect the money you deserve, you may have to launch a civil action. You can get assistance from a skilled hit and run accidents attorney.

A skilled hit and run accidents attorney can answer your questions, organize your medical records and bills, communicate with insurers and healthcare providers, connect you with an investigator to assist in the search for the fleeing driver, negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.

If your injuries were severe, $50,000 in insurance coverage might not be enough to pay the costs of your treatment and recovery. When this happens, we can work with you to explore other possibilities. This might involve the following:

• Filing a claim based on your health insurance coverage
• Considering other policies that may provide coverage
• Taking steps to help the police identify the hit and run driver

We may get a tag number or a collision video that identifies the hit-and-run motorist in some situations. While this is uncommon, it is achievable because we analyze your case to present a complete settlement.

We Can Help You Obtain the Compensation You Deserve

If you don’t know how to deal with the aftermath of a car accident, it may cost you a lot of money. Calling a trustworthy hit and run accidents attorney will assist in safeguarding your rights and legal choices as you move ahead.

Wilson & Kinsman LLC will assist you in navigating the insurance claims procedure and filing a claim based on the at-fault driver’s policy or your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. We understand the strategies used by insurance companies, including your own, to safeguard their profits and restrict the amount of money paid to accident victims.

Our firm has handled hit-and-run cases, vehicle accidents, and other personal injury claims, providing us the expertise and understanding to decipher the fine language in your policy and guarantee that the insurance company treats you properly. We would be delighted to assist you in navigating this difficult period. Call our hit and run accidents attorney today.