What Do I Do After a Hit and Run Accident?

Although leaving the scene after an accident is illegal, many drivers flee after a crash. You may be overwhelmed by the aftermath of a hit and run accident due to physical injuries, emotional anguish, and financial losses.

As an injured victim, you can pursue compensation for injury-related expenses. Even so, you must identify the liable party and prove the negligent actions that contributed to the accident. Their insurance provider may also reject your claim or frustrate your compensation claim.

You should, therefore, speak with a legal professional who can guide your actions after the crash. A Fort Lauderdale hit and run accident lawyer can explain your rights, investigate the incident, gather evidence, and pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

After a hit and run accident, your actions can enhance your wellness and protect your rights as an injured victim.

Here’s what you should do after the incident:

File a Police Accident Report

After experiencing a hit and run accident, you should alert the police and file a detailed accident report. The notification allows a law enforcement officer to be aware of the incident and document the incident for insurance and legal purposes.

When you alert the police, you initiate an official investigation that can identify the responsible party and hold them accountable for their actions.

Law enforcement officers are trained to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the accident scene to piece together what transpired. Additionally, filing a police report creates an official record of the incident, which can be invaluable in supporting any legal claims or insurance disputes that may arise in the future.

A car accident lawyer can use the police accident report to prove negligence and to initiate a settlement claim.

Inform Your Insurer About the Crash

You should alert the insurer about a hit and run crash. Many insurers require policyholders to notify them about an accident within a specified timeline. Your insurer may also cover the injury-related losses if the at-fault party has no insurance or is underinsured. Your underinsurance/uninsured coverage can cover the losses after a hit and run accident.

An insurer may reject your claim if you don’t notify them but later find the need to initiate a compensation claim. It’s always best to contact a personal injury attorney before speaking to the insurance company. They can explain your rights and next steps, ensuring you do not say anything to harm your case.

Consult a Car Accident Lawyer

You require legal advice to overcome the aftermath of a hit and run car accident. A car accident attorney can evaluate the circumstances of the incident and determine whether you should initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Evidence is the foundation of a successful legal claim. A car accident lawyer will collect different sources of evidence, including images, traffic camera footage, and reports from experts to support your claim.

Most importantly, they will provide legal advice after the hit and run accident so you can make appropriate decisions that protect your right to compensation.

Can You Get Compensation for a Hit and Run

You can initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for your injury-related losses. A settlement value allows you to cope with injury-related losses and reinstate your position before the accident.

Here are the damages you can receive in a hit and run crash:

Medical Expenses

You must incur medical expenses after being injured in a hit and run accident. Further, medical expenses comprise a significant share of the settlement value in a hit and run accident claim.

Medical expenses damages can cover the following costs:

• Ambulance fees
• Hospitalization charges
• Surgical costs
• Diagnostic costs
• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Physician’s bill

If you have suffered an injury in a hit and run accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for current and future medical expenses.

Lost Income

If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. These damages include the income you missed due to your injuries and the future earning capacity affected by the accident.

Lost income covers salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, overtime, vacation, and other benefits you’d have earned.

A car accident lawyer can use the following to prove a hit and run accident:

• Pay stubs
• Tax returns
• Bank statements
• Profit and loss statement
• A letter from your employer

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

You deserve compensation for other out-of-pocket expenses that can arise from a hit and run accident.

These expenses may include:

• Over-the-counter medication
• Special medical devices
• Cost for home or childcare
• Transportation to and from medical appointments
• Modifications to your home to accommodate any disabilities caused by the accident.

A car accident lawyer can use receipts, bank statements, and credit card statements to prove the out-of-pocket expenses. They may also use medical records to demonstrate that these expenses were valid and reasonable.

Pain and Suffering

You can claim compensation for the physical and emotional pain that you endure as a result of a hit and run accident. Pain and suffering damages are intended to relieve the non-financial effects of your injuries, such as physical discomfort, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

For example, you may be entitled to compensation if the injury has triggered chronic pain for months, years, or the rest of your life.

Loss of Companionship

In addition to physical injuries, victims often experience a profound sense of loss as a result of being separated from their loved ones.

When a person suffers an injury in a hit and run accident, not only do they suffer physically and mentally, but their relationships with family members and friends can also be affected. The inability to engage in activities that were once enjoyed together can lead to isolation and loneliness. The loss of the ability to provide and receive care, comfort, and companionship is a significant component of the overall damages in a hit and run case.

While no amount of money can fully make up for the emotional suffering endured, pursuing these damages can alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with the loss of companionship.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

A hit and run accident can significantly impact your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Loss of enjoyment of life damages compensate you for the inability to participate in activities you once loved or the loss of independence due to injuries. These damages address the diminished quality of life resulting from the accident. For example, you may be entitled to compensation if a spinal cord injury has affected your ability to enjoy nature walks or your favorite activity.

A car accident lawyer can use medical records, expert testimony from a psychologist, and testimony from friends and family to prove the extent of your losses.

Emotional Anguish

The emotional toll of a hit and run accident can be overwhelming. An injured victim can experience anxiety, sleep disorders, social isolation, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

For example, you may experience emotional anguish if the events leading to the hit and run accident were traumatic. You may also endure emotional distress after discovering you’ll live with permanent disability or disfigurement. Compensation for emotional anguish allows you to pay for programs that support your recovery from the hit and run accident.

Permanent Disability/Disfigurement

If you have sustained permanent disabilities or disfigurement as a result of a hit and run accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the long-term impact on your life. These damages are designed to provide financial support for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and the adjustments needed to accommodate your new circumstances.

Punitive Damages

A judge or jury can award you punitive damages if you file a personal injury lawsuit. Unlike other damages that aim to compensate the victim, punitive damages punish the at-fault party for their egregious conduct.

Punitive damages also deter the defendant and others from engaging in similar misconduct that contributed to the injury.

How Much Can You Sue for Hit and Run

Your ability to recover from injury-related losses depends on the settlement value you receive for a hit and run claim. Further, understanding how much you can receive for a hit and run accident can help you make financial adjustments or manage expectations.

There is no average value you can expect in a hit and run accident. The settlement value depends on the facts and circumstances of the accident.

Some of the factors that influence the value of a hit and run accident include:

Severity of an Injury

The severity of your injuries directly impacts the value of a hit and run car accident claim. The extent of your injuries influences various factors, such as the medical expenses, the duration of your recovery, and the overall impact on your quality of life.

For instance, a minor injury like whiplash may result in shorter medical treatments and less compensation compared to a severe injury like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage, which can lead to long-term medical care and significant lifestyle changes.

When determining a settlement value, the insurer or car accident attorney considers current and future medical expenses. A victim of a hit and run accident with a severe injury may require ongoing physical therapy or surgery due to the accident, which can contribute to a higher settlement value.

Additionally, the severity of your injury can affect your ability to work and earn a living, leading to potential compensation for lost income or diminished earning capacity.

Shared Fault

Shared fault arises when more than one party is responsible for the accident. For example, if the hit and run driver was driving carelessly, whereas the injured victim was speeding. Under the shared fault principle, your compensation may be reduced to the extent of your responsibility.

For instance, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault for the accident, your compensation can be reduced by that percentage. The shared fault principle means that if the total value of your damages is $10,000, you would only receive $8,000.

A car accident lawyer can investigate the incident and use evidence to protect you from being falsely accused of the crash.

Legal Representation

Although many injured victims obtain compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer, many victims cope without financial support. Working with a car accident attorney can enhance your chances of a positive outcome in your case.

They have the knowledge and experience to deal with insurers who are fond of minimizing financial liability. A car accident attorney will evaluate the offers compared to your losses and advise you whether to accept or reject them.

They can also use their excellent negotiation skills to push for a higher settlement value that covers your losses. Most importantly, they are ready to litigate the matter in court if you can’t settle with the insurer.

Get Legal Support After a Hit and Run Accident

Injuries in a hit and run accident can have a psychological impact on you. You may face post-traumatic stress disorder if the events leading to the accident were traumatic. Although the emotional impact is an intangible loss, it significantly impacts your life.

You deserve compensation for all of your injury-related losses. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer understands the applicable damages in your case. They will work tirelessly to maximize the outcome of a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Call a trusted lawyer today.