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Car accidents are bad, but hit and run accidents leave victims in a more precarious situation; this occurs when liable parties flee the site of a car accident. This causes great concern because it is nearly impossible to identify the driver and their vehicle. This puts the victims in the position of having to gather facts and pursue compensation on their own. This becomes a worse situation when injuries and property damages are involved.
After the Accident
When a driver flees, it may not be possible for the victim to get a good glance of the vehicle or of the driver. After immediate medical needs are met, the victim should record any information pertaining to the crash. This includes the make and model of the vehicle, the color, and the license plate number. Any description of the driver will help for a later investigation. If there were any witnesses, they should be contacted and interviewed as soon as possible. Sometimes surveillance cameras will be in the area of the accident and may have captured evidence. This is something that should be investigated when evidence is being collected.
When Hit and Run Drivers are Found
If the hit and run driver is found, compensation for damages may be pursued. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and possible punitive damages. This is emplaced to penalize offenders but is dependent on the circumstances and facts of the case. When at-fault drivers are located, they may be uninsured or underinsured. In this case, it may not be possible to receive direct payments for damages.
It is important to view the laws of the state where the accident occurred to determine if the state is at-fault or no-fault for auto insurance. Most states are at-fault, which means that either the insured liable party or the victim’s uninsured motorist car insurance (UIM) coverage pays for the losses. Therefore, it is a good idea to have UIM coverage on an auto insurance policy.
If the hit and run happens in a no-fault insurance state and the losses were significant, the victim’s own personal injury protection or no-fault insurance can pay for the damages.
Missing Hit and Run Drivers
It is a common occurrence that the perpetrators are not easy to track. Injured victims have certain options to recover compensation for losses through their own insurance, as previously explained. All states have their own auto insurance regulations and some do require insurers to provide UIM, unless the policy owner specifically declines this option.
Sometimes you will find that insurance companies that have UIM coverage will refuse their obligation to pay for adequate coverage. In these cases, some people choose to sue them for not fulfilling their obligation to victims. Depending on the situation, the company may be required to pay punitive damages.
Virginia Beach Car Accidents Lawyers at East Coast Trial Lawyers Help Hit and Run Victims Obtain Compensation for Injuries
If you suffered injuries from a hit and run accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Our devoted Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at East Coast Trial Lawyers advocate for car accident victims and will help victims gain the compensation they deserve. Contact us online or call us at 757-352-2237 for a free consultation. Located in Virginia Beach, we also serve clients in Chesapeake, Eastern Shores, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, as well as North Carolina, and nationwide.
