When a driver strikes another vehicle, person, property, or animal and flees the scene, it is considered a hit and run accident. This can include hitting a person as they cross the street, running into a home while drunk driving, or damaging a parked car without notifying the owner.
Hit and run accidents can cause personal injuries and instantly change another person’s life. Under no circumstances should a driver leave the scene of an accident without reporting it, as it is against the law in many states, including Massachusetts.
If you are a victim of a hit and run accident, allow the lawyers of CarAccident.Law to assess your possible damages and determine what you might be able to recover in an insurance claim or civil lawsuit. Whatever options are available in your case, our hit and run car accident lawyers can help you pursue it.
Common Hit and Run Accident Injuries
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and other drivers are all vulnerable to hit and run car accidents. Any car accident can result in minor bumps and bruises or severe, life-altering physical injuries such as paralysis and limb amputation, or even death.
Hit and run collisions commonly result in the following injuries:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Sprains
- Back and neck injuries
- Muscle strains
- Punctured lung
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
If certain injuries are left untreated, they can become life-threatening. For this reason, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately after a hit and run accident, even if there are no apparent signs of injury, as your adrenalin may prevent you from realizing the full scope of your injuries.
It is advisable to speak with a hit and run car accident lawyer about filing an insurance claim or civil lawsuit for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other potential losses. Your injuries might change many aspects of your life that require financial support. CarAccident.Law can connect you with a hit and run car accident attorney in your area and prepare you for the next steps, from filing a claim to seeking medical treatment.
Hit and Run Accident Injuries
Different Types of Hit and Run Collisions
A hit and run occurs when a driver causes an accident and leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information with the other driver.
Hit and run accidents can cause the following types of harm:
- Injury: A driver who hits another motorist or pedestrian and causes physical injuries is responsible for reporting the incident and helping the victim get medical attention. Those who fail to do so can be held liable with the help of a diligent hit and run car accident lawyer.
- Property damage: When a driver strikes a person’s car, home, or something on their property, such as a mailbox, and leaves the scene of the accident, they could be held responsible for the resulting damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
- Wrongful death: Anyone who causes another person to lose their life in an avoidable accident and then leaves the scene of the collision could face punitive damages in a subsequent civil action.
The team of hit and run car accident lawyers at CarAccident.Law can help you get your life back on track after an unexpected collision by offering advice on where to find medical resources and pursuing an insurance claim or civil lawsuit to recover damages on your behalf.
Our attorneys can help you properly report a hir and run accident and follow all necessary requirements according to state laws to ensure your rights are protected. All of this will increase your chances of recovering comprehensively after a hit and run.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT LAWYER: RELATED CRASH TYPE
Effects of Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and run accidents commonly result in more than just physical injuries. Victims of hit and run accidents also often deal with the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Property and vehicle damage
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
If you live in a no-fault state, like Massachusetts for example, you can recover some damages through your own insurance, and you must meet specific requirements to pursue a lawsuit or file a hit and run claim through the negligent driver’s insurance company.
This is where a good hit and run collision attorney can be a helpful resource. The lawyers on our team can investigate the hit and run accident, take steps to identify the driver, and deal with your insurance company on your behalf to reach a settlement that adequately reflects the value of your covered losses. Otherwise, the hit and run car accident lawyers of CarAccident.Law are well-equipped to explore all avenues of compensation with you, including filing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Learn more about hit and run accident lawsuits
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FILING A CAR ACCIDENT LAWSUIT
When insurance claims aren’t cutting it, consider filing a hit and run car accident lawsuit. Here’s a guide to help get you started.
What Happens if a Person Leaves the Scene of an Accident?
If another driver hits your car, causes personal injuries or property damage, and leaves the scene, you can report the accident to local law enforcement. You are also likely eligible to pursue a civil lawsuit with the help of an auto accident attorney.
A hit and run accident lawyer can work to identify the driver by speaking with witnesses, collecting and reviewing surveillance footage and forensic evidence, and much more.
How Much is an Accident Claim Worth?
When it comes to civil and insurance claims, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic. A lawyer on our team can review the the severity of your hit and run accident injuries, the impact they’ve had on your life, the limits of your insurance coverage, and your eligibility to file a civil claim for damages which are not covered by your insurance, among other factors.
Economic damages are financially measurable losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. These costs are generally covered by your own no-fault auto insurance, but in the event that you reach your policy limits and still have outstanding losses, a hit and run car accident lawyer can help you explore additional recovery options.
Non-economic damages are tougher to value, as they subjective in nature, and include pain and suffering, mental trauma, loss of enjoyment or quality of life, and loss of companionship or intimacy in a relationship. These losses are not covered by your insurance and would require civil action to recover. Fortunately, our attorneys are well-versed in valuing and pursing non-economic damages in civil court on behalf of hit and run accident victims.
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Contact a Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer Today
While no amount of money can take away a loved one’s serious injury or wrongful death following a hit and run accident, an experienced attorney with CarAccident.Law can help you redefine your future and recover the necessary compensation to create a sustainable lifestyle suited to your needs.
We can help you understand your rights and potential options regarding a civil lawsuit or insurance claim, identify the at-fault driver, and reach an appropriate settlement.
Consider scheduling a consultation with our team to share your hit and run car accident story and learn about your options regarding a civil lawsuit or insurance claim.
