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Knowing your rights as an injured driver is important if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a hit-and-run accident. When a hit-and-run driver flees the scene of an accident they caused, it leaves victims feeling helpless and frustrated. In addition, you will likely face significant medical bills when unable to work and may have to deal with long-term medical care and the associated expenses. Our car accident lawyers at Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci have an impressive record in court trials related to hit-and-runs, and we’ll make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run accident occurs when the at-fault driver causes an injury or death, then leaves the crash scene. These cases can result in significant damages for victims and their families that must be dealt with in civil court after any potential criminal proceedings have been completed.
What Should I Do After a Hit-and-Run?
If you were a hit-and-run victim, you should immediately reach out to The Virginia Trial Group. Our lawyers can help you by working with doctors and the police, your insurance company, and other investigators to find the hit-and-run driver who fled the accident scene and help you get justice. In addition, you may need assistance with your medical bills, paying other expenses while out of work, making decisions for the future, and getting compensation for your injuries.
If you call right away, Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci can help you accomplish all of this within the statute of limitations.
Most Common Causes of Hit-and-Run Accidents
Some of the most common causes of hit-and-run accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Rear-end accidents
- Hitting a parked or legally stopped car
Why do At-Fault Drivers Flee?
There are several reasons that a hit-and-run driver may choose to flee the scene of an accident they caused. Some common reasons include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Not having car insurance or driving without a license
- Fleeing from police after committing another crime
- Panicking and not knowing what to do next
How Can I Prove Fault in Virginia?
For you to prove fault, there must be evidence that shows that another driver caused your injuries through negligence or carelessness. This can be done through eyewitness testimony, police reports, video evidence, and other forms of documentation.
If you have been injured in a hit-and-run, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci has successfully represented many victims of these accidents and will work diligently to get you the maximum compensation available.
Common Mistakes Made After a Hit-and-Run
Victims of hit-and-run car accidents may not know what to do immediately after the crash. While getting checked out for any potential injuries related to the accident, there are some common mistakes victims make that can affect their ability to receive compensation later on:
Waiting Too Long Before Reporting an Accident or While Injured
The sooner someone contacts law enforcement and other authorities, the more likely they will be able to track down who was responsible based on evidence at a scene like skid marks, paint chips from another vehicle, etc…
Not Filing an Insurance Claim
If another car is involved, their insurance company will have to pay for damages. However, the victim’s insurance carrier cannot be forced to cover the cost if they do not know about it immediately after an accident or while dealing with injuries.
Suppose you were involved in a hit-and-run where another driver fled without identifying themselves or leaving contact information behind. In that case, you need to file an incident report with your insurance.
Not Recording or Taking Photographs of the Scene and Other Vehicles Involved in the Accident
Before leaving the scene, it is vital to record as much information as possible about what happened during your accident, including names, numbers, and other details that can be used later on if needed. It would help if you also took pictures of any damage caused to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved.
Believing That The Insurance Company Will Deal With Them Fairly
After a hit-and-run car accident, car insurance companies are not usually on your side. They will attempt to pay you as little as possible during a settlement negotiation and may even try to blame you for the crash if they can prove that it was partially or wholly your fault.
What if I Can’t Identify the Hit-and-Run Driver?
In some hit-and-run cases, it’s possible that identifying the at-fault driver could take the police more than two years. Your case will be may more difficult to win because there is no way to prove negligence or carelessness on the at-fault driver’s part.
If you cannot identify the driver that caused your accident, you could still file an insurance claim with your own insurance company, but it would have to be a “John Doe” claim. Your uninsured motorist coverage would provide coverage – however, you still have to bring your claim within Virginia’s two-year statute of limitations for bringing personal injury claims.
Importantly, just because you do not know the name of the person who rear-ended you does NOT extend the statute of limitations. You still must file suit against “John Doe” within two years.
The best way to file a personal injury claim for compensation after an accident with a hit-and-run driver is by retaining legal help from an experienced attorney at Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, who can obtain all of the necessary evidence and documentation related to your case.
Can I Be Denied Compensation for a Hit-and-Run Accident in Virginia?
Waiting too long to file your claim can prevent you from getting the money you deserve.
Virginia’s statute of limitations states that for most personal injury lawsuits (including car accidents), you must file the personal injury claim within three years of the date of the injury or accident.
In cases of wrongful death lawsuits, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the person’s death. If you don’t file your claim within the statute of limitations, the court may refuse to accept your case, and you’ve lost the right to sue for damages.
Filing Claims With Your Insurance Company
Suppose you were involved in a hit-and-run where another driver fled without identifying themselves or leaving contact information behind. In that case, you’d need to file an incident report with your insurance. The period for filing the claim will depend on your insurance company.
How Our Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers at The Virginia Trial Group Can Help You
Your rights must be protected if you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident. Our Virginia car accident lawyers have extensive experience representing clients involved in these types of crashes. They can help you file a claim with the insurance company if necessary to ensure a fair settlement.
Proving Liability for the Hit-and-Run Accident
One of the most challenging aspects of a hit-and-run accident case is proving liability. This can be done by gathering evidence at the scene of the crash, such as eyewitness testimonies, video footage, and photographs.
The Virginia Trial Firm’s car accident attorneys have years of experience representing clients who have been injured in hit-and-run accidents. Our attorneys will work diligently to gather all available evidence to prove that the other driver was responsible for the accident and should be held liable for your damages.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies and Attorneys
Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out large settlements for hit-and-run accident cases. Our attorneys have years of experience negotiating with insurance companies and know what it takes to get the best possible outcome for our clients. We will work tirelessly to get you the money that you deserve for your injuries.
Helping You Receive Compensation
After a hit-and-run accident in Virginia, you may receive compensation for:
- Pain and Suffering
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages or Loss of Future Income
- Property Damage to Your Vehicle (You may also be eligible for compensation if your car is not drivable after the accident.)
Your Virginia lawyer will be able to help you determine the damages that you may be eligible to receive as a result of your accident.
Contact Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci Today For A Free Consultation With An Experienced Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer!
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, don’t wait to take action. Some deadlines control when you can file a claim or bring a lawsuit against the person responsible for your injuries.
Contact Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci today and speak with one of our Virginia hit-and-run accident lawyers about your case.
