Should I Get a Lawyer for a Hit-and-run Accident in Chicago, Illinois?
Hit and run accidents have been on the rise in Chicago for a couple of years ago. From the current data, there were 515 serious injuries in the past year in Chicago resulting from hit and run accidents.
Between the years 2005 and 2014, it’s estimated that 2 out of every 5 pedestrian fatalities were due to the effects of drivers leaving the scene of an accident.
In the year 2015, statistics showed that 15 out of 53 bike fatalities were due to various hit and run accidents in Chicago. As if that’s not enough. In the year 2021, there were 37,226 hit-and-run accidents in Chicago.
According to the data, 37,336 hit-and-run crashes resulted in 36 deaths and more than 4,807 personal injuries.
What is so worrying is that, despite the highest number of car accidents, police are still solving a small number of these cases. In fact, police in 2021 only solved 306 cases.
Recommended reading: How can a hit and run accident lawyer help with a case?
The worries of a hit-and-run victim remain: whether he/she will ever be compensated for all the damages/losses incurred. On the other hand, the hit-and-run driver worry is if he/she will get a fair hearing.
From my own research, hiring a lawyer after a hit-and-run accident is important for guidance, protection of rights, navigating the legal process, maximizing compensation, and negotiating with insurance companies.
It is recommended to get a lawyer for a hit-and-run accident in Chicago, Illinois, to receive legal advice, preserve evidence, navigate insurance coverage, identify the at-fault party, and maximize compensation.
Because most of us are blind to the law, this article helps you to understand what the law says about leaving the scene of an accident and takes you through why hiring a lawyer after a hit and run in Chicago is so important. Ready? let’s dive in now!
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What is a hit and run crime?
It’s a typical day in Chicago, and at the intersection of State and Madison was bustling with activity. Suddenly, a car came out of nowhere and hit you, sending you flying into the air.
The driver panicked and sped away, leaving you lying on the ground. As people rushed to help, they realized that the driver is nowhere to be found.
Recommended reading: Hit & Run Accidents- hit and run lawsuit AND Compensation
You are rushed to the hospital, but the driver was still at large. As your family searched for answers, they realized that they need a lawyer to help them navigate the legal process.
They contacted a Chicago hit-and-run accident attorney who helped them identify the at-fault party and aggressively fought for adequate compensation.
The lawyer also negotiated with the insurance company to ensure that you received a fair settlement. In the end, justice is served, and your family is able to move on with their lives.
The above hypothetical incident is exactly a reminder of the importance of hiring a lawyer after a hit-and-run accident in Chicago, right?
Simply put, a hit and run accident occurs when one of the drivers involved in the accident, flees or leaves the scene of an accident.
According to Illinois traffic accident laws, every driver that is involved in the accident must stop at the scene and do the following:
He/she must exchange information, render help if there are injuries, and report the accident. As I will explain later in this article, the law severely punishes drivers that leave the scene of an accident.
Legal Consequences
If you are the driver who fled the scene of an accident in Chicago, Illinois, you may be in big trouble unless authorities do not find you.
In Chicago, the consequences of a hit and run accident are severe including criminal charges, fines, and license suspension.
Here are some of the potential legal consequences of a hit-and-run accident in Chicago:
1. Leaving the scene of an accident in Illinois is a criminal offense. It can result in felony or misdemeanor charges depending on the outcome of the accident.
2. If you committed a hit and run in Chicago, be ready for hefty fines, jail time, and license suspension or revocation.
Do you need an example? here we go. Meet Jack, a reckless driver who fled the scene of a hit-and-run accident in Chicago. Jack was charged with a felony and faced up to 15 years in prison, along with a $25,000 fine. His driver’s license was suspended.
Recommended reading: What Happens If You Have a Car Accident Without Insurance?
3. If you are the victim of a hit and run, insurance companies will want to deny you payment. This is because, since the other driver fled the scene, the company doesn’t know how it will get its money back after paying you.
4. Hit-and-run victims are entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The at-fault driver will be asked to pay either from his pockets or through an insurance company.
Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer
When it comes to hit-and-run accidents in Chicago, hiring a lawyer can provide several benefits. Here are some of the advantages:
1. Legal Expertise: A Chicago lawyer experienced in handling hit and run cases knows the intricacies of the legal process. The lawyer will provide expert guidance throughout your case.
2. Protection of Rights. Your lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation from insurance companies.
3. Investigation and Evidence Gathering. A car accident lawyer has the knowledge and expertise. He/she will gather evidence, investigate the accident, and build you a strong case.
4. Negotiation with Insurance Companies. It’s tough to negotiate a payout settlement with insurance companies. Only experienced accident lawyers know how to squeeze money from insurance companies.
5. Maximizing Compensation. Compensation varies depending on the seriousness of injuries/ losses. The bad news is that insurance companies do not love giving out their money. Hiring lawyers will help you to get maximum compensation.
6. Court Representation. Yes, from current data, only around 5% of hit-and-run cases go to trial. Your attorney will provide you with professional representation, and effectively advocate your rights.
Finding the Right Lawyer
Here are some ways to find the right lawyer after a hit-and-run accident in Chicago:
1. Ask for Referrals. Maybe a friend or family has ever worked with an attorney after an accident. Ask them to refer you to their bestie.
2. Online Search. Some websites like Yelp, google rating, Avvo, etc list lawyers with their client ratings. A quick Google search should serve the rightful results.
3. Bar Association Referral. Are you living in Chicago? Contact the Chicago Bar Association for a referral to the best hit-and-run legal officer.
4. Free Consultations. Just like other personal injury lawyers, Hit and run attorneys provide free consultation sessions. This helps to assess the lawyer to see if he’s your best fit.
5. Experience and Expertise. If I was the one looking for a car accident attorney, I would go for the officer with the best experience and expertise.
I would not trust my case with anew comer or a lawyer that is experienced in Commercial law.
6. Communication and Availability. Choose a lawyer that is always available and has the best communication skills.
If you want my recommendations, contact one of the following lawyers that specialize in hit-and-run accidents. O’Meara Law, Ankin Law, and The Kryder Law Group.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-run Accident.
There are specific steps everyone should follow after a car accident.
If you are the at-fault driver, you will need to gather evidence that will prove that you were not the at-fault driver, or to prove that the other driver shares responsibility.
For the victims of the auto accident in Chicago, you must gather evidence that incriminates the other driver. You must prove to the jury that the other driver negligently caused the accident in which you were injured.
For a hit-and-run crime, the victim needs to prove before the jury or the judge that the other driver knew an accident occurred but deliberately left the scene of the accident.
Recommended reading: What liability car insurance?
Apart from gathering information and evidence, you must make sure a police officer is invited and responds to the crash. This will help later if you intend to file a claim from the insurance company.
You also must call and inform your insurance company depending on the deadlines that are stated in your policy. You must notify the company immediately or within a few days after the crash.
Legal Process and Compensation
Car accidents result in losses, damages, and injuries. Here is a story of a friend of mine who received compensation after an accident.
Imagine the chaotic intersection at the Rush and Division in Chicago, where traffic seems to have a mind of its own. In the midst of this madness, our innocent lady, Sarah, found herself in an unexpected accident.
As she was patiently waiting for the light to turn green, a driver named Max, who was clearly in a hurry, rear-ended her car with a loud thud.
Shaken but determined, Sarah quickly sprang into action:
Reporting the Accident: Sarah grabbed her phone and dialed 911 to report the accident. She provided a vivid description of Max’s car, jokingly mentioning that it looked like it had seen better days.
Sarah says she:
1. Gathering Evidence: While waiting for the police to arrive, Sarah took out her trusty camera and snapped photos of the damage to her car. She even managed to capture a selfie with a bewildered expression, adding a touch of humor to the situation.
2. Filing a Claim: With the help of her favorite Chicago hit-and-run lawyer, Mr. Smith, Sarah filed a claim through Max’s insurance company.
Mr. Smith, known for his witty charm, skillfully negotiated with the insurance adjuster, making sure they didn’t try any funny business.
In the end, justice prevailed, and Sarah received a fair settlement for her damages.
She couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony of the situation, realizing that even in the midst of chaos, a little humor and the right lawyer can make all the difference.
Conclusion.
You have seen that Sarah received her compensation just because she hired the most experienced car accident attorney, right?
Hiring a hit-and-run lawyer in Chicago can provide several benefits, including riding on the lawyer’s experience, investigating and evidence gathering, and finally, you may get Maximum Compensation.
Sources:
1. Howard, Ankin. (Feb 2021). Hit And Run Lawyer – Ankin Law Chicago. ankinlaw. https://ankinlaw.com/motor-vehicle-accidents/hit-and-run-lawyer/
2. Guide to Illinois Car Accidents, Injuries & Lawsuits. enjuris. https://www.enjuris.com/illinois/car-accident/
3. (July 26, 2023). Stories About Hit-and-Run – CBS Chicago. cbsnews. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/tag/hit-and-run/
4. Louis, C, Cairo. (23-Dec- 20122). Illinois Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers – Chicago. gwclaw. https://www.gwclaw.com/practice-areas/personal-injury/car-accidents/hit-and-run-accident-lawyer/
