How Can I Recover Damages After a Hit-and-Run?

 Posted on May 30, 2022 in Personal Injury

Getting hurt in a car accident is going to cause a serious disruption to your life no matter what. The process of recovering damages can be annoying even when the at-fault driver stops and exchanges insurance information. However, if the driver who hit you took off without stopping, you may be wondering who on earth is going to pay for all your damages.

The good news is that there are multiple ways to recover compensation after a hit-and-run crash. You may be able to pursue compensation from more than one party. A lot will depend on the circumstances of your accident, your own insurance policy, and whether it is possible to identify the driver who caused the crash. You should strongly consider getting an attorney who can help you determine the best course of action, as recovering compensation after a hit-and-run can be complex.

Ways to Recover Compensation Following a Hit-and-Run

One of the difficulties associated with pursuing a hit-and-run claim is proving what happened. When there are two damaged vehicles stopped, the police can usually determine what happened fairly easily. When only one damaged vehicle is stopped, it can be difficult to prove that the crash was in fact caused by another driver.

Generally, you have two options for pursuing compensation. You can either locate the responsible driver, or you can file a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured driver coverage. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option/

The advantage of filing a claim with your own insurance company is that you are more likely to get a quick settlement. Your own insurance company may be more cooperative and willing to pay out a fair amount. The disadvantage is that if your insurance company does deny your claim, you probably cannot take them to court. Most insurance contracts contain an arbitration clause, and arbiters typically side with their clients - in this case, your insurance company.

The advantage of identifying the responsible driver is that proving their liability may be easier. Fleeing after a car accident strongly suggests that they knew they were responsible. They may even be criminally prosecuted. Roughly half of hit-and-run drivers are. The downside, of course, is that it can take some time to find them. However, with the prevalence of security cameras, it may be easier than you think.

Contact a DuPage County Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured by a hit-and-run driver, Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices may be able to recover compensation on your behalf. Our skilled Bloomingdale car accident lawyers will help you choose the best course of action after a hit-and-run. Call us at 630-932-9100 for a free consultation.