Charleston Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

If you are in a car accident in Charleston, exchanging auto insurance information with the other driver is standard practice, especially if injuries are involved. However, in a hit-and-run accident, the other party flees before identification or insurance details can be obtained.

Unfortunately, these accidents are quite common.

As the victim of a hit-and-run, expenses can quickly accumulate. The question is, who pays?

Hiring a hit-and-run accident attorney in Charleston can be highly beneficial.

First, your insurance company might delay or deny payouts, but with an attorney advocating for your rights, you are more likely to receive full and fair compensation. Second, a personal injury lawyer can investigate the accident, eliminating the need to wait for police findings.

Third, you can receive immediate support. Contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with our Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyer.

Why Choose Our Charleston Hit and Run Accident Attorneys?

• Experience – Our attorneys are experts in handling hit-and-run accident cases. We grasp the intricacies of these cases, including the difficulties in identifying the responsible party and securing compensation from uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. We are proficient in navigating the legal complexities to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.
• Resources and Support – We conduct exhaustive investigations and gather critical evidence, ensuring no detail is overlooked in building a robust case for you. Our dedicated team works diligently to provide you with comprehensive legal representation, ensuring you receive the justice you deserve.
• Personalized Representation – We understand that each hit-and-run accident case is distinct, with unique needs and concerns for each client. Our approach involves offering personalized representation tailored to your specific situation. Our compassionate attorneys listen to your story, understand your goals, and guide you through every step of the legal process with care and empathy.

Secure Your Rights With Our Charleston Hit and Run Accident Law Firm

Hiring a Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyer is crucial due to the complex nature of these cases. If managing a regular accident claim is challenging, handling the challenges of a hit-and-run can be even more daunting for injured victims.

Dealing with legal procedures while recovering should not be a solo endeavor.

Our attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm are ready to assist victims of hit-and-run accidents. Our legal team has years of specialized knowledge and is competent to seek the highest possible compensation for your injuries.

Our lawyers collaborate with private detectives and other professionals to identify those responsible.

We utilize every available resource, including accident scene cameras, to gather the necessary evidence. Our primary commitment is to advocate for your rights and ensure justice is served.

What Is a Hit & Run Accident?

A “hit and run” accident in South Carolina occurs when a driver leaves the scene without meeting legal obligations, such as providing insurance information or filing a police report. This type of accident can happen for various reasons, including:

• The driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The driver is operating the vehicle without insurance.
• The driver panics and drives off without thinking.
• The vehicle is stolen.

In some cases, the hit-and-run driver may be identified. For instance, a driver who initially fled the scene in a panic might later contact the police once they have calmed down and can think more clearly.

Additionally, the driver may be identified through information provided by witnesses or video footage, such as the vehicle’s license plate number.

What Happens If the Hit-and-Run Driver Isn’t Found?

In some cases, the hit-and-run driver is eventually located and held accountable. Eyewitness accounts and video footage often provide enough information for the police to identify the car and driver.

The hit-and-run case proceeds like other car accident cases when the driver is found. We negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to secure fair and just compensation for bills, lost wages, property damage, and more.

Additionally, we may seek punitive damages to punish the driver for their behavior and send a message that leaving the scene of an accident is unacceptable.

However, in many instances, the hit-and-run driver is never found. Police tend to focus more on hit-and-run accidents causing severe injury or death, often spending less time on minor accidents involving only property damage.

Despite their efforts, a lack of evidence or leads may prevent the driver’s identification. In such cases, we may hire private investigators to help identify the driver and bring them to justice.

If the driver remains unidentified, we negotiate with our client’s insurance company to secure compensation for expenses like medical bills and property damage.

Whether the hit-and-run driver is found or not, it’s essential to work with an attorney experienced in handling hit-and-run cases. These accidents differ from other car accidents, and our experienced attorney can help you secure the compensation you deserve after being injured.

Hit and Run Laws in Charleston, South Carolina

Overview of Hit and Run Regulations in South Carolina:

• Unattended Vehicle: If a driver hits an unattended vehicle, they must attempt to locate the owner. If unable, they must leave a note with their name, address, and registration information on the vehicle. Failing to leave a note and fleeing the scene is considered a misdemeanor.
• Attended Vehicle: If a driver hits an attended vehicle, they must stop at the collision scene and provide their information to the other driver. They may leave the scene temporarily only to report the incident to law enforcement. Fleeing the scene is a misdemeanor.

Accidents Involving Injury or Death:

Failure to stop at an accident where someone was injured or killed carries more serious consequences:

• If the victim is injured and the driver flees, it is considered a misdemeanor. Penalties include 30 days to 1 year in jail and fines ranging from $100 to $5,000.
• If the victim was severely injured or killed and the driver flees, it’s a felony. Severe injury, which may be fatal or result in disability or disfigurement, carries a penalty of 30 days to 10 years in jail and fines between $5,000 and $10,000.
• If the accident resulted in death, the driver faces 1 to 35 years in prison and fines from $10,000 to $25,000.

How to Identify the Culprit Behind Your Charleston Hit-and-Run Accident?

Experiencing a hit-and-run accident in Charleston can be overwhelming and distressing. Not knowing who caused the accident or why they fled the scene adds to the stress, especially when dealing with injuries that need immediate attention.

If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, try to stay calm. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Call 911—Immediately call 911 to report the accident. Provide the operator with details about the incident, including the location and any relevant information, so they can dispatch medical personnel and police to the scene.
• Gather Information – Collect as much information as possible about the vehicle involved in the accident. Note details like the vehicle’s make, model, color, and any part of the license plate number you can recall. Also, document the incident’s date, time, exact location, and any other pertinent information.
• Look for Witnesses—Seek out witnesses at the scene and ask them to share their observations. Witnesses can provide valuable information that may help identify the at-fault party.

You might be able to identify the culprit by obtaining their vehicle’s license plate number or through witness accounts. Additionally, working with a hit-and-run accident attorney in Charleston can be instrumental.

Our experienced attorneys can assist you in identifying the at-fault party and pursuing damages. If you need help after a hit-and-run accident, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Common Causes of Hit & Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents often stem from the same factors as other traffic accidents, typically involving human error. These include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Failing to follow traffic rules

However, there are specific reasons why a driver might flee the scene after an accident:

• Driving without a driver’s license
• Lacking required car insurance coverage
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Having outstanding warrants
• Not realizing they caused an accident

Regardless of the reason for leaving the scene, hit-and-run drivers can be held liable for any injuries and damages caused by their actions.

Common Types of Injuries Caused by Hit & Run Accidents

The injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident vary depending on the severity of the crash.Common injuries include:

• Neck and back injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations and loss of limbs
• Broken bones and fractures
• Organ damage
• Airbag injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement

The costs of treating these injuries can be substantial. Victims may also face significant loss of income and emotional pain and suffering.

Compensation for these damages can be sought through a personal injury claim. However, identifying whom to file the claim against can be challenging in a hit-and-run accident.

Who Is Liable for a Hit & Run Accident?

The driver responsible for a hit-and-run accident can be liable for the damages caused. However, to hold the driver accountable, they must first be located.

If the police cannot find the hit-and-run driver, you may still receive compensation for your damages by filing an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company. Most insurance policies consider hit-and-run accidents as being caused by an uninsured motorist.

Additionally, you can receive compensation for property damage by filing a claim under your collision coverage. Before receiving compensation, you must prove that the hit-and-run driver caused the crash.

Our lawyer can assist you in gathering the necessary evidence to support your claim.

Can You Get Compensation Even if the Other Driver Cannot Be Located?

You can still receive compensation even if the other driver cannot be located. Here’s how:

Suppose you could remember the other driver’s license plate number or a security camera-captured footage of the accident. In that case, the police might be able to track down and identify the other driver. In such cases, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to any criminal charges the driver may face.

However, it’s common for the fleeing driver to remain unidentified. You may not have seen the license plate number or the crash might have occurred from the view of nearby cameras.

Despite this, you can still get compensation for your damages through your insurance company. State law mandates that you have uninsured motorist coverage, which can be activated in hit-and-run accidents to cover some or all of your losses.

Steps to Follow:

• File an Insurance Claim: Regardless of whether the other driver is found, you must promptly file an insurance claim with your provider. It’s advisable to seek guidance from a legal professional on how to proceed and what to say to avoid complications.
• Consult an Attorney: Never accept a settlement offer without consulting a seasoned attorney first. Insurance companies often try to settle claims for less than their true value. Your uninsured motorist policy should cover your damages up to the policy’s limit after a deductible.

Our Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyers can help you assert your rights and advocate for fair compensation if your insurer tries to underpay your claim. We will fight to secure compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Physical pain and suffering

By working with our experienced legal team, you can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve, even if the other driver cannot be located.

Get Legal Help With Our Charleston Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping you secure a settlement for your injuries following a hit-and-run accident in Charleston. When you consult with one of our Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyers, you can be as involved as you prefer.

Our primary objective is to assist you in returning to normalcy as swiftly and smoothly as possible.

We aim to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, ensuring you are not left to navigate the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident alone. With the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm by your side, you can confidently handle any seemingly insurmountable legal challenges.

Contact our Charleston dog bite lawyer at (864) 664-3865 or schedule your complimentary consultation. We’ll help you explore all your legal options.

FAQs:

1. How long do I have to file a claim after a hit-and-run accident in Charleston?

In Charleston, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a hit-and-run accident is generally three years from the accident date. However, acting promptly and consulting with our Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyer as soon as possible is essential to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

1. What types of damages can I recover after a hit-and-run accident?

You may be eligible to recover various damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other related costs. Our experienced Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your damages and work to secure fair compensation.

1. What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run accident in Charleston?

After a hit-and-run accident, ensure your safety, call 911 to report the accident, and seek medical attention if necessary. Try to gather as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle, such as the make, model, color, and license plate number. Look for witnesses and obtain their contact information. Notify your insurance company and contact our Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyer for legal guidance.