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Drivers who flee the scene of an accident may do so for a number of reasons and may be held responsible for fleeing an accident they caused.

Whether the hit and run driver is identified or not, you may hire a Seneca hit and run accident lawyer to help you pursue compensation for your accident-related losses. Our Lawyers will provide legal advice and services to help you initiate your insurance claim or file a lawsuit.

Call Hammack Law Firm today at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 for more information about how a lawyer may be able to help you after a hit and run accident.

Hit and Run Cases May Have Two Outcomes

In a general sense, a hit and run accident may have two outcomes: the driver who fled the scene of the accident may get identified and apprehended, or they may remain unknown and unpunished.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) keeps records of unsolved hit and run accidents in case someone has information about a driver who fled after an accident. However, there are steps you can take after a collision that might help law enforcement officials identify the person responsible for your accident.

After your accident, try to remember any of the following information:

  • The make, model, and color of the vehicle that struck yours
  • The physical characteristics of the driver whose vehicle struck yours
  • Some or all of the license plate numbers involved in the accident
  • Damage that the fleeing vehicle sustained
  • Other defining characteristics of the vehicle that struck yours
  • Immediately report the accident to law enforcement as a hit and run

These sorts of details may be helpful to law enforcement and may lead to identifying the person who fled the scene of your accident. Whether or not the culprit responsible for your collision is caught, a lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation for your damages.

Insurance May Cover Your Losses

National Public Radio (NPR) explains that motorists who flee the scene of an accident may be difficult to identify and capture. If the hit and run motorist does not get apprehended, you may be able to pursue compensation through your insurance.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance notes that all motorists in the state are required to maintain:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury protection per person per accident
  • $50,000 in bodily injury protection total per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage protection per accident
  • Uninsured motorist coverage equating the minimum liability coverage amounts

Uninsured motorist coverage may cover your accident if the motorist who caused your accident is not caught. This coverage may cover some or all of your damages from the accident, and a lawyer may represent you as you seek compensation from your insurance company.

A lawyer may help you avoid making any damaging statements by handling communications with your insurance company. If you are required to make an on-the-record statement, your lawyer can advise you on what to say before you speak on the record, or they may help you craft a written statement that cannot be used against you.

You can speak with the team for a Seneca hit and run accident lawyer for more details about how they can help you with your insurance claim. Call Hammack Law Firm today at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 for a free consultation.

Your Lawyer May Seek Justice from a Hit and Run Motorist

If the hit and run motorist gets apprehended, you may be able to pursue compensation through their insurance to recover your accident-related losses. However, it is possible that they might not have valid insurance, which might have been the reason or one of the reasons why they chose to flee the scene of your collision. If they flee you either need a witness that does not own the car or actual physical damage that proves another vehicle struck your car. Take photos at the scene and report it immediately to your insurer.

You may choose to bring a lawsuit against the person who caused your accident regardless of their insurance status. Fleeing an accident scene could be considered negligent or intentionally malicious, depending on the intention behind the act. The American Bar Association (ABA) notes both negligence and intentional wrongdoing may hold an at-fault party liable for damages in a personal injury case.

If you bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against one or more defendants, your lawyer may:

  • Identify the parties who may be held responsible for your accident
  • Calculate the value of your individual and total losses from the accident
  • Document the injuries you suffered because of the hit-and-run accident
  • Call witnesses to testify on your behalf
  • Hire experts to recreate your hit-and-run accident
  • Handle legal proceedings to complete your lawsuit
  • Negotiate a settlement

If you and the at-fault party or parties cannot reach a settlement, your lawyer may prepare to argue your case at trial to continue your pursuit of compensation.

Compensation You May Be Able to Receive from a Lawsuit

If your lawyer is able to negotiate a settlement or wins a judgment award for you, you may collect compensation to cover some or all of your accident-related losses. These losses may include:

  • Income you lost because you needed to take time off work to recover from your injuries
  • Income you expect to lose in the future because of your injuries
  • Diminished earning power caused by lingering injury symptoms or permanent disability
  • Medical treatment costs
  • Psychological treatment costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Personal or professional opportunities you lost due to your injuries
  • Property damage, such as to your vehicle
  • Transportation costs if your vehicle is not suitable for driving

You may also be entitled to wrongful death losses if you lost a loved one in a hit and run accident. You and your lawyer may discuss additional losses, based on the details of your case.

Let Hammack Law Firm Help You with Your Hit and Run Case

Hiring a Seneca hit and run accident lawyer may prevent you from having to face the insurance or legal processes on your own. Call Hammack Law Firm today at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 to find out about our client-centered approach to seeking justice and making South Carolina a safer place for everyone.

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