Traffic accidents can be frustrating under the best circumstances, but when the at-fault driver leaves the scene, the situation can become downright maddening. You are left there wondering about your rights and how you will possibly pay the medical expenses and car repairs someone else caused.
If another driver caused the accident and fled the scene, you may have many questions about the next steps. You might be uncertain about whether you’ll be able to recover financial compensation to pay your medical bills, vehicle damage, and other accident-related expenses. An experienced car accident lawyer from SIniard Law, LLC can provide valuable legal representation during this difficult time. Knowing that your rights are protected after someone else has upended your life, you will have peace of mind.
Our law firm offers a free legal consultation and works on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay anything upfront to retain our legal representation. Call us today to discuss your situation with a compassionate hit-and-run accident lawyer who can explain your legal rights and options for financial recovery.
What Is a Hit and Run?
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver involved in a crash fails to stop at the accident scene when they are required to do so by law.
Our accident attorneys can help you pursue personal injury claims against the hit-and-run driver and other responsible parties. We are dedicated to helping you recover fair compensation after the negligence of another driver has derailed your life.
Alabama’s Accident Reporting Requirements
Alabama law requires all motorists who are involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in personal injuries, death, or property damage to remain at the accident scene until police and emergency medical personnel arrive. Drivers are also required to provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and (when asked) their driver’s license to anyone involved in the crash.
Failing to stop at the scene of the crash can result in criminal charges and possible jail time.
Common Types of Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run cases may involve different types of accidents. Our law firm can help with any kind of accident, including:
- Head-on crash – Head-on crashes are a common type of collision in hit-and-runs because drivers may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, asleep, or driving carelessly.
- Rear-end collision – Rear-end collisions occur when a driver hits the vehicle in front of them. Because the rear driver is usually found at fault for these accidents, they may try to evade accountability by leaving the scene.
- T-bone accident – T-bone accidents occur when one driver turns into the side of a vehicle. These crashes often occur at intersections when drivers run red lights or stop signs.
- Drunk driving accident – Drunk drivers cause a fair number of these crashes. They leave the scene because they want to avoid jail and other criminal penalties associated with their behavior.
- Construction zone accident – Because fines double in construction zones and serious penalties can result if a worker is injured or killed, some drivers quickly leave the scene of construction zone accidents.
- Pedestrian accident – Some hit-and-run cases involve motorists who run over pedestrians. Sadly, deadly pedestrian accidents are another common type of hit-and-run accident.
- Truck accident – Drivers of commercial vehicles have a heightened duty of care, but they may flee the scene if they are worried about losing their jobs or being held accountable for their careless driving.
- Wrongful death accident – Wrongful death accidents are tragic because the victim may have been able to survive if the at-fault driver would have done the right thing, stopped, and rendered aid.
At Siniard Law, LLC, our Huntsville car accident lawyers have a proven track record of success in all types of automobile accidents. Contact us today with a free initial consultation with an experienced car accident attorney.
Dangers of Hit-and-Run Crashes
Hit-and-run crashes tend to cause severe accidents and catastrophic injuries. These crashes may involve higher speeds, which increases the likelihood of severe injuries. The at-fault driver may have failed to brake to avoid the crash.
Additionally, the hit-and-run victim may be left in a vulnerable position where they may suffer secondary injuries when an unsuspecting motorist crashes into their already crashed vehicle. Accident victims in these crashes may also be left without medical assistance, which can worsen their injuries.
Common injuries victims suffer in hit-and-run crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fatal injuries
At Siniard Law, LLC, we have extensive experience helping personal injury victims who have suffered all types of injuries. Our legal team can help you pursue maximum compensation for the personal injuries you’ve suffered.
Why Do Motorists Flee the Scene?
Motorists often flee the scene of a vehicular accident because they know they have done something wrong either by causing the accident or before the accident. They are afraid of the criminal or civil penalties they may be subject to if they take responsibility for their actions. Common reasons drivers may flee the accident scene include:
- Drunk driving or drug impairment – The driver responsible for the crash may have been drunk or under the influence of drugs. These chemicals can cause drivers to have delayed reaction times and lowered inhibitions. Knowing they should not be driving in this state, drunk drivers may flee to avoid criminal consequences.
- Lack of a valid driver’s license – The responsible party may not have a driver’s license or a valid license due to a license suspension.
- No insurance – Uninsured drivers are responsible for many hit-and-run accidents. In the absence of insurance, the driver responsible for the accident would be personally liable for paying your medical expenses, property damage repairs, and
- Distracted driving – People who cause accidents because they are on their cell phone may be worried about violating the state’s distracted driving law and may flee the scene to avoid accountability. A qualified attorney can obtain cell phone records to prove if this factored into your hit-and-run car accident.
- Inexperience – Teen drivers and others may be afraid of what to do after a crash and run away from it.
- No legal status – An illegal immigrant who causes a crash may be afraid of removal from the country, so they may flee the scene.
- Outstanding warrants – A driver’s criminal record may come into play when they leave the accident scene because they know they have outstanding warrants for their arrest based on other criminal behavior.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can investigate your case to determine why the driver fled and seek to hold them fully accountable for their actions.
Is It Possible to Recover Financial Compensation After a Hit and Run Collision in Alabama?
In a typical car accident, you would file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, if the at-fault driver left the scene, you would not have had the opportunity to obtain insurance details so you could make a claim. As such, your best option for securing financial compensation is to file a claim with your uninsured motorist coverage.
This is a part of your own auto insurance. Insurance companies generally treat these accidents as collisions involving uninsured motorists. If police are able to catch the at-fault driver, you may be able to make a claim against them.
Compensation for hit-and-run accidents could provide money for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, medical procedures, prescription medications, and future treatment
- Lost wages for time you missed from work due to your injuries
- Reduced earning capacity if the accident left you with permanent disabilities
- Property damage to repair your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
At Siniard Law, LLC, we believe that careless drivers should be held accountable for their actions. We can seek punitive damages in appropriate actions as a further way to punish the defendant.
What to Do After a Huntsville Hit and Run Accident
If you are involved in an accident where it appears like the other driver is trying to flee the scene, here are some steps you can take to protect your health and legal rights:
Get to a Safe Location
Your safety is the number one priority. If possible, move your vehicle out of the roadway into a well-lit area that is safe from other motorists. Activate your hazard lights.
Write Down As Much Information As You Can
Write down as much information as you remember about the other driver and their vehicle, including a description, make and model, and any portion of the license plate you remember. If possible, take a picture of the vehicle that is running off. Provide this information to the police who respond to the scene.
Report the Accident
Call 911 and report the accident. An officer can come to the scene to complete a police report. You will need this accident report when filing your insurance claim.
Remain at the scene of the accident until police arrive.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You should seek medical assistance immediately. Even if you feel fine, you may be experiencing shock or a surge of adrenaline that could be masking your injuries. Seeking prompt medical care ensures that your injuries are promptly diagnosed and linked to the accident. Keep all of your medical records and bills for your legal claim.
Don’t Pursue the Other Driver
Even though it can be maddening to see the responsible driver fleeing the scene, don’t chase them. This could put you or other motorists in danger.
Document the Scene
Do your best to document the scene while it is fresh. Take photos of your injuries, property damage, crash parts in the roadway, skid marks, and any other relevant information. Ask witnesses for their contact information.
Be Careful When Dealing with Insurance Companies
Even though you’re the victim in this situation, insurance adjusters are trained to minimize the value of claims, so act very prudently with any interactions with them. Even if you are dealing with your own insurance provider, the adjuster assigned to the case may be reviewing your social media profiles or investigating to try to discredit your claims. Avoid posting or speaking publicly about the accident. An experienced attorney can handle your interactions with insurance companies.
Obtain Legal Assistance
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, you may have a legal battle on your hands. These cases could involve extended negotiations and high damages. It is best to work with an experienced hi-and-run attorney who can protect your legal rights.
Our accident attorneys are seasoned negotiators. We can guide you through the various legal processes involved in your case, offer legal advice tailored to your particular situation, and build your accident injury claim by:
- Reviewing the crash report, accident scene photos, and all details associated with the crash to try to identify the at-fault driver
- Obtaining witness statements to help prove fault for the crash
- Reviewing your own auto insurance policy for coverage
- Cooperating with police to try to identify the at-fault driver
- Requesting surveillance footage at businesses or residences near the crash site that may have captured the incident
- Hiring an accident reconstruction expert who can use scientific data and available evidence to visually recreate how the accident occurred
- Identifying all at-fault parties who may share in liability (for example, bar crash victims may have a legal claim against the bar owner who overserved a drunk patron)
- Handling legal negotiations to pursue maximum compensation for your insurance claim
- legal negotiations
Contact our accident law firm today for a free case review to get started with your claim.
Contact an Experienced Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Huntsville Today
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, contact the dedicated team at Siniard Law, LLC for immediate legal assistance and guidance. We are standing by, ready to help you demand the justice and accountability you deserve.