Why Do I Need to Hire a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney?
According to recent statistics, car accidents and hit and runs are significant problems in the USA today. From recent data, car accident injuries are one of the leading causes of death in the USA today.
Here is an example. In 2020, it was estimated that there were 35,766 fatal car accidents and 1,593,390 crashes resulting in injuries.
In other statistics, the USA experiences over 700,000 hit-and-run accidents yearly. Though many hit-and-run accidents are occurring daily, very few are investigated and solved by police.
The number one reason why hit-and-runs are not solved is that the other at-fault driver left the scene of an accident leaving the victim with absolutely zero evidence.
Whether you are the victim or the driver that just committed a hit-and-run, hiring a hit-and-run lawyer is very important.
Recommended reading: How can a hit and run accident lawyer help with a case?
In short, hiring a hit-and-run accident attorney can help you handle insurance claims, meet deadlines, recover financially, and receive legal guidance.
6 important reasons you may need to hire a hit-and-run accident attorney are as follows:
Page Contents
1. Legal Expertise.
Hiring a hit and run lawyer implies hiring a specialized lawyer that has experience in handling hit and run accident crimes. This lawyer has the right expertise to navigate your state’s complex legal system.
This will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process and that your interests are best represented. As the old adage goes, “Experience is the best teacher, right?
2. Investigation and Gathering Evidence
As a hit and run accident victim, your worry is whether you will ever be compensated, or whether justice will ever prevail.
To help the court to bring to book the hit-and-run perpetrator, you must prove beyond doubt that the at-fault driver committed the crime.
You will need to prove beyond doubt that the at-fault driver knew the accident occurred and fled or left the scene of the accident.
In case you want to be compensated for the losses, injuries, and other damages incurred, must prove with clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault driver negligently caused the accident.
You must prove that, it’s the same accident in which you were injured or suffered damages.
Recommended reading: What is the difference between hit and run and leaving the scene of an accident?
Of course, proof beyond doubt or providing clear and convincing evidence is hard for someone who is not versed in the law. This is exactly why you need to hire a hit-and-run lawyer, or any other legal officer that is well-experienced in handling car accident civil and criminal cases.
For the driver that left the scene of an accident, you must hire a criminal defense attorney that has expertise in handling hit and run crimes.
On a bad day, you could be imprisoned for up to 25 years, and at worse get a sentence of life imprisonment. You may also additionally be asked to pay a hefty fine, as much as $25,000-4$50,000 depending on the state the hit and run accident took place.
Hiring a defense lawyer that is experienced in hit-and-runs could save you from such hefty fines and lengthy imprisonment. Better off, your hit-and-run criminal charges may altogether be dropped.
3. Insurance Claims
If you are the victim of a hit and run, you may be badly in need of compensation or any other financial support.
A hit and run victim potentially has 2 sources of compensation ie the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or his own insurance company.
As I have been saying in previous articles, I have not seen an insurance company that prides itself on compensating its clients. The company will use all the tricks available to either deny you a settlement payout, or to cheat you by paying as little money as possible.
Recommended reading: How much time do I have before the police locate me for a hit and run?
Do you want to receive fair or maximum compensation? Definitely, you are going to hire an experienced car accident lawyer. These legal officers know better how to build a strong case, and have also mastered negotiation skills.
4. Legal Representation
Following a hit-and-run accident, you the victims will do some specific things depending on what you choose to do.
Three things you may find yourself doing include: communicating with the insurance company, negotiating settlements from one or multiple sources, and filing lawsuits.
Some victims are sometimes injured, right? now the question is, do you think it’s possible to juggle all the 3 things while on your sick bed? Are you well-versed with your state’s laws such that you have the confidence of going by yourself?
Well, I guess the answer must be no! The mentioned above are some of the reasons you must think about hiring a car accident attorney following an auto accident.
5. Maximizing Compensation
Car accidents come with losses, damages, and injuries. Additionally, you may have hefty medical bills and car repair costs.
You may have suffered damages like medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, lost potential to earn, and pain and suffering.
If I may ask you, do you what all those above-mentioned damages worth? do you know to compute what your damages and other losses are worth?
Have you ever heard of punitive damages or treble damages? Do you know how to provide evidence before the jury to qualify for those damages payouts?
You must hire an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney if you want to maximize your claim settlement payout. In my own research, I found out that victims who hire lawyers usually receive a settlement amount that is 3-5X higher.
6. Peace of Mind
Think of this scenario. You are admitted to the hospital yet the police want you to help in the investigation. Shortly after, an insurance adjuster wants your attention.
Before you hung up, the guy that is repairing your car wants to speak to you, and meanwhile, the accounts guy is waiting in the corner to tell you many medical bills you owe the hospital so far.
Recommended reading: who gets the insurance check when a car is totaled?
Do not cause yourself more psychological torture. Hire someone that will take off some of the burdens you are carrying and relaxingly concentrate on getting better medically.
A hit-and-run attorney, or any other legal office specialized in personal injury cases can help you with all the financial and legal aspects of your case. Yours will be only to adhere to the medications your doctor gave you.
Conclusion.
Hiring a hit-and-run accident lawyer is essential if you were hurt in a hit-and-run. They have the legal know-how to manage every facet of your case, maximise your compensation, and negotiate the convoluted legal system.
Additionally, the attorney can look into the collision, acquire proof, and collaborate with law enforcement to find the driver who sped away. By hiring a lawyer, you may relax, experience less worry, and concentrate on getting better.
Finally, your attorney can also help you understand how any criminal charges against the driver may affect your personal injury case.
Overall, hiring a hit-and-run accident attorney ensures proper legal representation and increases your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Sources.
1. S, Burke. What Are the Causes of Hit and Run Accidents? sburkelaw. https://www.sburkelaw.com/faqs/what-are-the-causes-of-hit-and-run-accidents-.cfm
2. Is It Worth Hiring A Hit And Run Lawyer? 855mikewins. https://www.855mikewins.com/hit-and-run-lawyer/is-it-worth-hiring-a-lawyer/
3. Beyond a reasonable doubt. cornel. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/beyond_a_reasonable_doubt#:~:text=In%20a%20criminal%20case%2C%20the,the%20evidence%20presented%20at%20trial.