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Hit and run accidents occur when one of the drivers involved in the crash does not remain at the scene. When a collision between two motor vehicles occurs, both drivers are obligated to stay at the accident site to determine the extent of the damage. Failing to uphold this responsibility is an illegal act that could result in both criminal and civil charges.
The injuries sustained in these accidents can be severe, and the affected parties may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitative care, in addition to costly vehicle repairs. If you have been injured in an accident in which the other driver left the scene, you have the right to recover compensation for your suffering with the help of a skilled attorney. A Chattanooga hit and run accident lawyer could help you file a claim for damages and offer valuable advice throughout the legal process.
State law separates hit-and-run accidents into two different categories. The first category includes accidents that cause damage of less than $500.00 to a vehicle, and the second includes accidents involving damage of more than $500.00. Hit and runs that incur less damage are typically subject to more lenient punishments and will lead to less serious lawsuits.
The most common form of hit-and-run accidents involve light contact to another person’s vehicle, often stemming from the driver’s distraction or carelessness. For example, if a driver fails to notice that they side-swiped another car on the road and did not stop to check the damage, they would have committed a hit and run and could be held liable in a lawsuit.
Other types of hit-and-run occur at busy intersections. Chattanooga is filled with commercial strip centers and commercial areas with many entrances and exits to parking lots and land use designs developed in the post war era that do not account for the sheer volume of traffic that are on the roads today. This leads to many left turns and extensive traffic interacting without a cohesive flow. When the cars on the road are all going different directions, it can eventually result in an impact, and the drivers involved may not always remain at the scene.
If a person’s vehicle was hit by a driver who left the scene of the collision, a skilled Chattanooga hit and run accident attorney could work with the involved insurance companies to ensure that the costs of any vehicle damage or physical injuries are compensated.
If a person is involved in an accident of this nature, it is important that they are familiar with all of their duties in the wake of the collision. Every driver should know that if they’re involved in a crash that results in damage to any vehicle, injury, or death, they are obligated to give their name, their address and their vehicle’s registration number. Additionally, if requested, they must present their driver’s license to the occupant of the other vehicle involved in the accident or to law enforcement and render reasonable assistance or medical treatment if necessary.
If a person is harmed in a hit and run accident that someone else caused, and the negligent driver left the scene before the individual was able to collect their license plate and the physical description, they should follow a particular course of action. It is imperative for the injured party to file a police report detailing the events of the accident and provide as much detail as possible. They can seek compensation from their own insurance coverage for the injuries they sustained, in addition to working with a Chattanooga lawyer to file a hit and run accident claim against the negligent party.
The laws surrounding hit and run accident lawsuits are complex, and you may require qualified legal representation to help you file a claim for damages. A Chattanooga hit and run lawyer could deal with the insurance companies and the negligent party’s legal team on your behalf and give you the peace of mind you need to focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.