A hit-and-run accident occurs when someone causes a collision, and then flees the scene immediately or before law enforcement personnel are able to arrive. These kinds of incidents can result in serious injuries due to the often impairment or carelessness of the responsible drivers.
If you were involved in a hit and run, there are three critical initial steps you should take. First, follow all of the advice given by medical personnel. Next, if possible to do it safely, take as many pictures and/or video recordings of the scene as possible, including recorded interviews of any witnesses who can describe what happened or provide a clear description of the hit-and-run vehicle. Finally, do not speak to your insurance company before first speaking with your lawyer. If you do not have a car accident attorney, reach out to a dedicated Frisco hit and run accident lawyer immediately for assistance.
Some of the more recurrent causes of hit and run incidents include:
One of the most common causes of hit and run accidents are people driving under the influence. After a collision, an intoxicated driver may either be too unaware to realize they caused an accident, or they may intentionally flee the scene because they are afraid of getting arrested for a DUI.
Another frequent cause of hit and run wrecks is a driver operating a stolen vehicle. If an individual is driving a hijacked car and they get into an accident, there is a high probability that they will either flee the scene in the vehicle or abandon the vehicle entirely and flee on foot.
Hit and run incidents are periodically caused by large semi-trailer trucks. These kinds of trucks have broad blind spots, which can cause the driver to lose sight of the entire road. Not to mention, if the truck is carrying a full load—often weighting an excess of 80,000 to 100,000 pounds—a truck driver may strike another vehicle without even knowing it and continue driving as if nothing happened.
Hit and run accidents differ from other kinds of car accident cases in part due to the criminal violation aspect of these incidents. Additionally, individuals pursuing a claim have the difficult task of gathering possibly unknown information such as the identity of the other driver, the type of car they were driving, if they have insurance, along with many other details. If this information cannot be obtained, then the injured party’s only option for obtaining compensation for their injuries would be filing a claim with their own first-party insurance provider seeking the benefits of their Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist coverage.
The aftermath of these types of incidents can be complicated and confusing, which is why it may be beneficial to seek guidance from an experienced hit and run accident attorney in Frisco.
Depending on the specifics of the case and the severity of the injuries, there may be numerous types of monetary damages a claimant is owed, such as:
Punitive damages are defined as any additional compensation awarded to an individual as a way to punish the responsible party for extremely reckless or negligent behavior.
A skilled hit and run accident lawyer in Frisco could review a person’s case to determine what kinds of recoverable damages may be appropriate, and fight to pursue the deserved compensation.
After you have been involved in a hit and run accident, figuring out what to do next can be puzzling. A knowledgeable legal professional could help you make the right next step. Call today to learn more about how a Frisco hit and run accident lawyer could help your case.
McCraw Law Group