Motor vehicle accidents can be traumatic and challenging, but hit-and-run accidents are particularly distressing. The difficulty is compounded when the responsible driver flees the scene, leaving the victim to handle the aftermath alone.
This act complicates the victim’s ability to resolve the situation and highlights a disturbing disregard for civil responsibility.
Hike-and-run cases are complicated, and resolving them requires knowledgeable legal assistance. Our hit-and-run accident legal team at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is well-versed in litigation and management.
With a focus on hit-and-run incidents, our legal team serving Greenville is ready to handle the complexities of your case effectively.
Give us a chance to expedite the court proceedings and assist you in obtaining the compensation you are owed.
Consult With Our Hit and Run Accident Attorney Serving Greenville
After a hit-and-run accident, consulting with the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is highly advisable. With a focus on personal injury law, our legal team serving Greenville provides valuable guidance and support throughout the legal process.
Our team can assist you in several ways:
- Our legal team will review the circumstances of your hit-and-run accident, assess the available evidence, and determine the strength of your case.
- We will explain your rights, guide you through the legal process, and advise you on the most appropriate action to seek compensation for your losses.
- Our resources and connections can help us identify the responsible driver. Our legal team may collaborate with law enforcement agencies and private investigators to gather additional evidence.
- If you encounter challenges with your insurance company during the claims process, our legal team can advocate for and negotiate a fair settlement.
- If necessary, our legal team can help you initiate a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver to recover damages for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
By choosing our hit and run accident legal team serving Greenville, we ensure that your case is handled by professionals dedicated to pursuing a favorable outcome.
Why Should You Hire Our Hit & Run Accident Lawyer Serving Greenville?
Once medical treatment has been sought, a hit-and-run victim should call our personal injury legal team serving Greenville. South Carolina is a “no-fault” insurance state, meaning victims must first file insurance claims with their car insurance policy.
All auto insurance policies must carry “personal injury protection” (PIP) and “uninsured motorist coverage (UM)/underinsured motorist coverage (UIM)” coverage. Handling the insurance landscape can be complicated, and our hit-and-run accident legal team serving Greenville can help ensure claims are filed correctly.
Our hit-and-run accident legal team can explore additional legal options if damages exceed the victim’s insurance coverage. If a specific “injury threshold” has been met, hit-and-run accident victims are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Victims have three years from the accident date to pursue an injury claim.
A lawsuit is an ideal source for filing a negligence claim in a hit-and-run case because these accidents can be tried in civil and criminal court. Depending on the damages incurred, the defendant can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Many people who are hit-and-run accident victims do not know their rights or self-defense measures. The actions you should take, should you find yourself in such a circumstance, are as follows:
Step 1: Safely Stop and Assess the Situation
Immediately after a hit-and-run, pull over to a safe spot and evaluate the situation. Check on the well-being of any passengers, managing injuries first. Prioritize the safety and health of everyone in the car before assessing the damage to your vehicle.
Step 2: Contact the Police
Ensure everyone’s safety, then call the police to report the hit-and-run. An officer will likely come to your location to gather details and complete an accident report. This document is required for your insurance claim, serving as key proof of the incident.
Step 3: Gather Witness Information
Look for potential nearby witnesses who witnessed the accident and could provide details to the police. Collect their names and contact information for your insurance claim. Additionally, inquire at nearby businesses for any relevant security camera footage, which could be instrumental in the police inquiry and your insurance claim.
Step 4: File an Insurance Claim
After obtaining the police report, contact your insurance company to initiate a claim. You may need to provide a statement, photos of the damage, the police report, and witness contact details. Filing possibilities typically include phone, online, or mobile app methods or directly through a local agent if available.
How Does the Severity of Injuries Influence Claim Worth?
The severity of injuries significantly impacts the valuation of a personal injury claim in several key ways.
Firstly, severe injuries typically necessitate extensive medical interventions, which can include:
- Ambulance transportation
- Emergency room care
- Critical life-saving procedures
- Surgical operations
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stays
These medical services are often expensive, and a personal injury claim aims to recover these costs. Consequently, the claim’s potential value increases as medical expenses increase.
Secondly, more severe injuries usually result in substantial intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. These injuries not only cause more physical pain but also pose significant challenges to the victim’s recovery process.
The greater the pain and difficulty in recovery, the higher the compensation the injured party is entitled to for these non-economic damages.
Why Do Drivers Leave the Scene After an Accident?
Drivers may flee accident scenes for various reasons, and irrespective of their motivations, it’s legally mandated that they remain at the scene. Hit-and-run incidents can result in severe injuries or fatalities and are taken very seriously by law enforcement. Here are some common reasons why drivers might choose to leave the scene of an accident:
- Lack of adequate liability insurance or no insurance to cover the other party’s injuries.
- Driving without a valid driver’s license.
- Existing warrants for their arrest.
- Concerns related to their legal status in the United States.
- A desire to evade potential legal consequences.
Victims of hit-and-run accidents should not blame themselves. The responsibility lies with the driver who caused the accident and chose to flee. Such actions are both a moral and legal breach. In the aftermath of a hit-and-run, victims must seek immediate legal assistance to address their rights and possible compensation. If you’re involved in such an incident in Greenville, contacting a hit-and-run accident legal team is vital.
What Compensation Can You Get After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
In the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, you may be entitled to three primary types of compensation:
- Economic Damages: These cover tangible expenses such as medical bills and property damage. Compensation also extends to lost wages and potential lost earning opportunities due to the accident.
- Non-economic Damages: These address less tangible and harder-to-quantify losses. Common examples include compensation for mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship. These damages recognize the emotional and psychological impact of the accident.
- Punitive Damages: Though less common, punitive damages may be awarded in cases of gross negligence to punish the responsible party. These are not intended to compensate the victim but rather to serve as a deterrent against similar future conduct by the offender and others.
While punitive damages are rare, compensation for economic and non-economic losses is frequently pursued in legal claims. Our legal team, focused on hit-and-run accidents, can help you accurately evaluate and pursue all the compensation you deserve.
Settling a South Carolina Hit-and-Run Case Outside of Court
When a hit-and-run accident case in South Carolina is proposed to be settled outside of court, the defendant may offer a settlement to expedite resolution. As the plaintiff, it is essential to review any settlement offers carefully.
Your legal team will play a key role in this process, assisting you in determining whether to accept, negotiate, or reject the offer.
Our car crash legal team serving Greenville ensures you are comfortable and well-informed throughout the decision-making process. They will clarify the advantages and disadvantages of each option regarding the settlement, enabling you to make a well-informed decision.
Remember, there is no obligation to accept a settlement offer, even if it closely matches the damages you initially sought. If you feel unsure or dissatisfied with the proposal, communicate this to your legal team.
Your legal team can then inform the defendant of your decision, and together, you can continue to support your case in preparation for trial, if necessary.
Common Legal Violations Associated with Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents occur every 43 seconds across the U.S., according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. When these incidents happen, the driver involved often wants to avoid police interaction for various reasons.
Commonly, hit-and-run drivers may lack the minimum required insurance, or they may be trying to evade further legal complications if they’re under the influence, driving with a suspended license, lack proper registration, or have an existing arrest warrant.
These drivers leave the scene, aware that law enforcement will arrive shortly. Therefore, officers must collect as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle and driver.
This aids in locating and holding the responsible party accountable, though recovering financial compensation can be challenging if the driver is uninsured.
In such cases, those affected in Greenville have another recourse. Our services include guiding you through claiming against your vehicle insurance for damages, ensuring you are not burdened with the costs resulting from the incident.
Contact Our Hit-and-Run Attorney Today for Free Consultation!
We invite you to explore our past achievements and client testimonials to better understand the quality of our legal services.
We are eager to discuss your potential compensation path with you and your loved ones.
If visiting one of our offices is inconvenient, we will visit you. We highly value our client relationships and take our advocacy role seriously.
We’re ready to listen to your story and develop a strategy tailored for victory.
We offer complimentary initial consultations with no obligation to proceed. Our legal team operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
We’re happy to provide a free consultation and answer any legal questions about your hit-and-run accident. Call us at (864) 664-3865 today.
FAQ:
Is there a time limit for filing a hit-and-run claim in Greenville?
Yes, in Greenville, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally three years from the date of the accident. Connecting with a lawyer as soon as possible is essential to ensure your claim is filed within these time limits.
What if the driver who hit me is never found?
If the at-fault driver is not found, you may still have options for recovery through your insurance policy, particularly if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you understand your insurance policy and guide you through the process to seek compensation for your losses.
What types of compensation can I pursue in a hit-and-run case in Greenville?
Victims of hit-and-run accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the at-fault driver’s behavior was particularly reckless.
