Handling compensation claims in accidents is very hectic. It gets much harder if the offender was not as courteous and considerate as to stop their vehicle and sort the matter out. Hit and runs are not uncommon in America. Despite the law against it in several states, it is common to find a driver who does not pay heed to them.
Being injured by a hit-and-run driver may leave you with very many questions. How do you get justice? Who do you file your claims to? What exactly can you do to ensure you get compensation for your injuries, property damages, or losses?
Ways of Getting Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident
When involved in a hit and run accident, try as much as you can to note the car registration details. These details will help you track down the hit and run driver. They will also come in handy when making your claims later on. If you have this information, you could seek compensation in the following means:
Your Own Insurance
There are several ways to file compensation claims to your insurance company. It all depends on the type of coverage you have bought. For instance, if you purchased the MedPay optional coverage, it may cater for your medical expenses regardless of the guilty party.
On the other hand, the uninsured motorist coverage will settle your personal injury claim if you cannot track down the hit and run driver. An underinsured motorist claim could also help in settling your compensation if the driver’s insurance policy is not enough to compensate you fully.
Collision coverage will compensate the costs of repairing your regardless of the cause of the accident. From hitting a pole to crashing into another car, it covers a wide variety of damages. Filing this claim with your insurance providers will help you repair your car if the hit and run driver was not located.
However, it would be best to remember that this cover does not settle any other expenses or losses such as medical bills or lost wages.
Seek Restitution
Fleeing from the accident scene after causing an accident is a crime that could lead to mandatory jailing and sometimes heavy fines. If your hit and run driver is charged in court, you may request the judge to order them to pay your losses as part of restitution.
Why You Need to Hire a Lawyer
Before deciding on a way forward after a hit and run accident, you need to consider hiring a hit and run lawyer. Doing so will significantly increase your chances of getting compensation for your injuries and losses. This is because of the numerous technicalities that surround hit and run lawsuits.
It would help if you had someone experienced in this field. Someone you can trust to deliver your case and get you the financial justice you deserve after all the pain and suffering caused by the hit and run accident.
