A car accident is stressful enough, but when the other driver flees the scene, the stress multiplies. Suddenly, you’re left confused, injured, and unsure about who will pay for medical expenses, lost wages, or vehicle repairs. You may wonder if getting compensation is even possible after a hit and run.
If you’ve been hurt in a hit and run accident, you can start by searching for a well-rated “accident attorney near me” on the internet. Why get an attorney involved? How can they help when the other driver has disappeared? Read on for answers from our legal team.
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They Present All Your Legal Options
An attorney will review your case, clarify your rights, and explain your potential options for compensation. If the fleeing driver remains unidentified, your attorney will typically help you file a claim under your own insurance’s uninsured motorist coverage. This insurance provision is specifically designed to cover situations like hit and run incidents.
If your insurance denies coverage, your attorney can help you understand and counter the denial, holding your insurance company accountable.
If the driver is found, your attorney can help you understand your rights for filing both a civil and criminal claim against the other driver.
Your lawyer can prevent common pitfalls, such as missed filing deadlines or incomplete paperwork, both of which can jeopardize your claim.
They Help You Gather the Right Evidence
After a hit and run, evidence becomes extremely important. If you enlist the help of an experienced attorney right away, they can gather critical evidence from the accident scene (like photos, surveillance footage, or dashcam recordings). They can also get testimonies from witnesses before they forget the details or become difficult to track down.
They Communicate With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have one concern: their own financial well-being. That’s why they often resort to tricky tactics to get you to admit fault or downplay your damages. They may also play on your fears about the hit and run accident, convincing you that your case is compromised because the other driver left the scene.
A good attorney understands exactly how insurance companies operate. They will know how much you can recover and keep you from settling if you would gain more by holding out.
They can shoulder the stress of the back-and-forth phone calls, call the insurance company out for underhanded tactics, and negotiate fiercely to get you a better settlement.
If your insurer disputes your claim, your lawyer can challenge them through formal appeals or, if necessary, litigation. In many instances, simply having an attorney involved motivates insurers to treat your case more fairly and expedite the claims process.
If authorities eventually identify and apprehend the hit and run driver, your attorney can help you file a direct claim against them, potentially increasing your compensation.
They Explore All Sources of Compensation
Just because your insurance company is telling you you’re eligible for a certain amount of money doesn’t mean that’s the full picture. Your attorney will meticulously analyze your insurance policy to determine if you are eligible for more coverage.
In Nevada, your compensation after a hit and run may include coverage for:
- Medical expenses and ongoing medical treatment
- Lost wages from being unable to work
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering (non-economic damages related to your physical and emotional pain)
Your lawyer may look into different facets of your insurance coverage, including personal injury protection (PIP), collision coverage, or even medical payment coverage so no resources are overlooked. They may also review your health insurance to see if there are any untapped benefits.
They Ensure Your Compensation Covers Long-term Effects
A hit and run accident can cause injuries that impact your life long after the initial incident. Injuries like concussions, chronic back pain, or severe psychological trauma can lead to substantial medical bills, ongoing rehabilitation, and lost income potential.
Your lawyer can work closely with medical experts to calculate future medical costs and diminished earning capacity. With this thorough approach, you can rest easy knowing you won’t be saddled with ongoing medical costs after your settlement has run out.
Let an Attorney Do the Heavy Lifting
Dealing with a hit and run accident is stressful enough without the additional burden of complicated legal procedures. An attorney takes much of this burden off your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on recovering physically and emotionally.
An attorney can boost your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve, and if you work with an attorney who charges contingency fees, you won’t have to pay anything unless they secure a successful settlement or judgment.
Have questions about your case? Contact our Las Vegas auto accident lawyers.