A hit-and-run accident leaves you feeling violated. The driver who caused the crash and sped away has not only endangered your safety but also left you to deal with medical bills, vehicle damage, and emotional trauma.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we understand how traumatic hit-and-run accidents can be. You deserve a team that knows Michigan’s laws and can navigate complex insurance claims to get you the necessary compensation.
We fight for victims in situations like yours, ensuring you cannot handle everything alone. Whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, or in a vehicle, we will be by your side from start to finish.
How Our Michigan Construction Accident Attorneys Investigate About Accidents
Finding the responsible driver in a hit-and-run case requires a detailed investigation. While the police will handle much of the investigation, our attorney can also be critical in tracking down the at-fault party.
At our law firm, we use legal tools, resources, and expert knowledge to help identify and hold the hit-and-run driver accountable.
Here’s How We Help With the Investigation:
- Witness testimony: We gather statements from witnesses who saw the accident happen. Their account of the incident can be crucial in identifying the fleeing driver.
- Surveillance footage: Many hit-and-run accidents occur near intersections or areas with cameras. We work with local authorities and businesses to obtain any footage that could capture the accident or the driver’s vehicle.
- Accident reconstruction experts: In cases where it’s necessary, we work with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze the crash scene and provide insight into how the accident occurred, which helps build a stronger case.
- Collaboration with law enforcement: We stay in close contact with the police to monitor their investigation, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in finding the hit-and-run driver.
Our goal is to ensure the driver responsible for your accident is held accountable. Even if the driver isn’t found, we’ll work tirelessly to ensure you’re compensated through other means.
How Our Michigan Hit and Run Accident Law Firm Can Support You in Accident Claims
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be a terrifying and frustrating experience, but our Michigan hit-and-run attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. We specialize in helping individuals injured in accidents where the responsible driver has fled the scene, ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Here’s how we can support you:
- Comprehensive Legal Guidance: Understanding your rights is the first step to securing fair compensation. Our experienced attorneys take the time to walk you through every aspect of your case, ensuring you have a clear understanding of your legal options and the best path forward.
- Maximizing Your No-Fault Insurance Benefits: Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system can be complex, but we make sure you receive every benefit you’re entitled to. From medical expenses and rehabilitation costs to lost wages, we’ll ensure you access the full range of No-Fault insurance benefits to support your recovery.
- Thorough Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Proving liability in hit-and-run cases can be challenging, but our team excels at investigating these incidents. We work diligently to gather evidence, identify potential witnesses, review surveillance footage, and collaborate with law enforcement to uncover every possible lead, helping to strengthen your claim.
- Identifying All Available Insurance Coverage: In some cases, there may be additional insurance policies or coverage options that you can tap into. Our attorneys conduct a detailed review of all potential sources of compensation, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in maximizing your settlement.
- Negotiating the Best Possible Settlement: We are committed to securing the highest possible compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and any other damages you have incurred. With a proven track record of success, our attorneys will negotiate aggressively on your behalf, ensuring you receive a fair and timely settlement.
- No Fees Unless We Win: We understand the financial burden of a hit-and-run accident, so we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you, allowing you to focus on your recovery without added stress.
With our unyielding loyalty to achieving the best outcomes for our clients, you can trust us to handle every aspect of your hit-and-run claim.
What Defines a Hit and Run Accident in Michigan?
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes a collision and leaves the scene without stopping to provide contact details, offer assistance, or call the police. These accidents can involve other vehicles, pedestrians, or property damage.
Michigan law requires all drivers involved in an accident to stop and exchange information. Failing to do so is illegal and can result in criminal penalties.
Drivers involved in a hit-and-run could face:
- Fines up to $1,000
- Up to 1 year in jail if no injuries occurred
- Up to 5 years in prison if serious injury occurred
- License suspension or revocation
Leaving the scene of an accident is reckless and violates Michigan law. If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, it’s important to report it immediately and take steps to protect your rights.
What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Michigan
It can be stressful to be in a hit-and-run accident, but what you do right after can greatly influence your chances of getting compensated. What to do following a hit-and-run incident is as follows:
- Contact the Police Department: Reporting the accident is crucial. The police will create an official accident report that will be essential when filing insurance claims. Provide as much information as possible about the driver and the vehicle that fled the scene.
- Get medical attention: Getting checked out by a doctor is essential, even if you feel fine. Whiplash and internal bleeding are examples of injuries that may not manifest symptoms right away. Your health and safety are the most important things.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos of the damage, your injuries, and the accident scene. These will serve as valuable evidence later. Also, contact information must be gathered from any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
- Update your insurance company: In Michigan, you will file a claim with your insurer under the state’s no-fault insurance laws. Inform them about the hit-and-run and provide all necessary details.
- Contact a hit-and-run attorney: Managing insurance claims and dealing with the complexities of hit-and-run cases can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney can help you track down the responsible driver, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance and How It Protects You?
Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that your insurance will cover your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This system applies to hit-and-run accidents, too.
If the driver who fled the scene cannot be identified, your insurance policy can help cover immediate costs.
Here’s what no-fault insurance generally covers:
- Medical expenses: Includes hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medications.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, no-fault insurance will compensate you for lost income.
- Household services: This includes hiring help if you cannot perform daily tasks, such as cleaning or childcare.
- Survivor’s benefits: If a hit-and-run accident results in a fatality, no-fault insurance provides compensation to the victim’s family for funeral expenses and lost income.
However, no-fault insurance has its limitations. It does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering unless your injuries meet certain criteria.
Suppose your medical expenses exceed your no-fault coverage. In that case, you may need to explore additional avenues for compensation, such as uninsured motorist coverage or filing a lawsuit against the driver if they’re found.
You can learn more about Michigan’s no-fault insurance system from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Hit and Run Cases
In Michigan, uninsured motorist coverage is an optional policy that can help protect you in a hit-and-run accident. Since the driver who fled the scene cannot be held accountable immediately, uninsured motorist coverage will cover the costs that your no-fault insurance may not.
Here’s how uninsured motorist coverage helps:
- Medical bills beyond no-fault limits: If your medical expenses surpass what your no-fault insurance covers, uninsured motorist coverage can help fill the gap.
- Compensation for pain and suffering: Unlike no-fault insurance, uninsured motorist coverage can compensate for pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
- Vehicle damage: Uninsured motorist coverage may also cover repairing or replacing your car, depending on your policy.
If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, you may still be able to receive compensation under Michigan’s Assigned Claims Plan, which assists victims without insurance in certain cases. We can help you explore your options and maximize your compensation.
Compensation Available in Michigan Hit and Run Cases
A hit-and-run accident leaves you not only physically injured but also dealing with financial loss. You may face mounting medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and emotional distress.
Fortunately, Michigan law provides avenues for recovering compensation, even when the responsible driver is not immediately located.
Some common types of compensation you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses: Coverage for surgeries, doctor’s visits, medications, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages: Compensation for the time you cannot work due to your injuries, including future income if your injuries lead to long-term disability.
- Pain and suffering: If your injuries qualify for non-economic damages, you may be eligible to receive compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, and diminished quality of life.
- Property damage: In addition to medical expenses, you can seek compensation for damage to your vehicle and any personal property involved in the accident.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we help clients calculate the full extent of their damages. We work with medical professionals and financial experts to ensure that your compensation reflects the true cost of your injuries.
The Time Limits for Filing a Hit-and-Run Claim in Michigan
If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident in Michigan, knowing the legal deadlines for taking action is essential. Under Michigan law (MCL 600.5805), you have up to three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
This time frame is critical, as missing it could mean forfeiting your right to seek compensation.
However, it’s worth noting that different rules apply when it comes to uninsured motorist claims and No-Fault insurance benefits. These claims typically have much shorter deadlines, often requiring you to act within a matter of months.
Additionally, insurance providers usually mandate that a police report is filed within 24 hours of the incident to qualify for uninsured motorist benefits.
Given these time-sensitive requirements, it’s essential to consult with an experienced Michigan hit-and-run attorney promptly. Acting quickly ensures that all necessary legal steps are taken and you have the best chance of securing the compensation you deserve.
Get the Help You Need for Our Michigan Hit and Run Accident Lawyers!
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is committed to standing by hit-and-run victims every step of the way. Our skilled attorneys understand the emotional and financial toll these accidents can take, and we are ready to fight passionately on your behalf to ensure the responsible party is brought to justice.
We pride ourselves on our thorough investigative approach. We use all available resources to uncover critical evidence and work with law enforcement to identify the hit-and-run driver.
From negotiating with difficult insurance companies to building a strong case on your behalf, we handle every aspect so you can focus on your recovery.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and outline your options for pursuing compensation. Our team takes the time to listen to your story, explain the legal process in detail, and develop a tailored strategy to maximize your settlement.
Don’t face this challenging time alone—reach out to us at (616) 612-2707 today for your free case evaluation, and let us help you secure the compensation and justice you deserve.
