Being injured in a car accident can be devastating, especially when the driver who caused the accident has fled the scene. Recovering compensation as the victim of a hit and run accident can be challenging, but with an experienced Little Rock attorney, you can develop a strategy for recovering compensation.
Discuss Your Hit and Run Accident with an Experienced Little Rock Attorney
Have you been injured in a hit and run accident in Little Rock, Arkansas or Arkansas? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. Attorney Tim Reed can help you protect your rights and navigate the process of recovering compensation. Contact the Reed Firm to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal rights.
What Is a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver collides with another driver, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist and flees the scene. The driver leaves without stopping to exchange information or waiting for the police to arrive. Unfortunately, those drivers generally leave the scene immediately, before they can be identified.
The driver who flees the scene may be:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Uninsured
- Driving without a driver’s license
- Driving with a suspended driver’s license
- Driving a borrowed or stolen vehicle
- Concerned about losing his or her driver’s license due to past citations
- In possession of stolen drugs or property
A driver who injures someone should be held financially responsible for the injuries he or she causes, but in most hit and run accident cases, the victim must find an alternative way to recover compensation.
What to Do After a Little Rock Hit and Run Accident
After being involved in a hit and run collision, the steps you take can help you obtain compensation for your injuries. Be sure to take the following measures to protect yourself and your claim for compensation:
- Remain at the scene: Do not chase the at-fault driver because it can be dangerous and undermine your claim for compensation.
- Call the police: Report the accident to the police, describe your injuries, and provide details about the driver who hit you, using as much detail as possible.
- Seek medical attention: You may not notice all of your injuries immediately, but we recommend going to the emergency room or visiting your doctor as soon as possible.
- Find witnesses: If there are any witnesses, ask them to write down their contact information and the details about what they saw.
- Take photographs: If you can do so safely, take photographs of the scene of the collision, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries with your cell phone.
Car accidents are daunting experiences, and they can be even more stressful when the driver who caused the accident flees the scene. Remembering details can be challenging, so it’s important to write down any details you remember about the vehicle, driver, and circumstances that led to the accident so you have a chance of identifying the driver.
Recovering Compensation After a Little Rock Hit and Run Accident
The first step in recovering compensation is to attempt to identify the hit and run driver who caused the accident. The police officer investigating your case may be able to track down the hit and run driver. Evidence from CCTV footage and witness testimony can help lead to the identification of the at-fault driver. In some cases, the driver may be driving a vehicle that is associated with a particular business, in which case victims may be able to pursue a claim or lawsuit against the driver’s employer.
Working with an attorney can also increase the likelihood of identifying the at-fault driver. If you have any information about the driver, then an attorney can help you exhaust investigative efforts to find an angle for recovery.
What If I Can’t Identify the At-Fault Driver?
Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to identify the hit and run driver, even after a thorough investigation. However, you may still be able to recover compensation without identifying the driver, depending on the terms of your insurance policy.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can pursue an uninsured motorist claim to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damages, and more. That is the most common route taken by hit and run accident victims. Also, depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to pursue a claim against another identifiable third party whose negligence contributed to the accident.
Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim
Most comprehensive auto insurance policies include uninsured motorist coverage, and in Arkansas, your insurer is required to offer this coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage generally applies when an at-fault driver has no insurance, but it also applies when you suffer damages at the hands of an unidentified hit and run driver.
When pursuing an uninsured motorist claim, you must do so with your own insurance company, but don’t fret. Such a claim will not reflect poorly on you. Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of “no-fault” coverage and is intended to cover your losses when you’re not at fault for the accident. As long as another party is at fault, accident victims can pursue an insurance settlement up to the limits of their uninsured motorist policy without fear of an increase in their premiums.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Accident victims might assume that if they file a claim with their own insurance company, they’ll receive fair treatment, but that isn’t always the case. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses and they generally seek to pay out as little as possible, whether you’re their customer or not.
When you work with attorney Tim Reed, you can rest assured that he will negotiate aggressively for the best insurance settlement possible. He will carefully consider all of the expenses and damages you’ve incurred from the hit and run accident and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Discuss Your Case With a Hit and Run Attorney in Little Rock
Hit and run accidents can be confusing and stressful, especially when victims can’t identify the at-fault driver and hold him or her responsible. If you have significant injuries and property damages after a hit and run accident, it’s crucial that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. Attorney Tim Reed is dedicated to helping hit and run victims recover the compensation they need and deserve. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation.