Hit and Run Accident Injuries
The aftermath of a car accident is often stressful and chaotic for an injured victim. If you find yourself injured in a hit and run accident, an already stressful situation often becomes even more so. One of the primary reasons for this is that as a victim who has suffered physical and/or emotional injuries, you may be concerned that you will not be compensated for those injuries given that the responsible party fled the scene. The good news is that even as the victim of a hit and run collision, you may still be entitled to compensation for your personal injuries.
You May Be Able to Hold the Driver Responsible
Motorists flee the scene of a pedestrian, bicycle, or motor vehicle accident for a wide variety of reasons. Often, a driver takes off after causing a collision because he/she is in violation of the state law requiring all motorists to carry liability insurance. Other times, motorists flee because they are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while still other people simply get scared and take off instead of sticking around to face the consequences. Given the ubiquitous nature of security cameras and cell phones these days, there is a decent chance you will be able to identify the fleeing vehicle or its driver after the fact. If so, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries from the driver or owner of the vehicle, or both.
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Your Own Insurance May Compensate You
In the State of California, an insurance provider is required to offer you the following types of insurance that will provide you with benefits if you are involved in a collision with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured:
You can decline the above coverage; however, to do so you must sign a waiver indicating that you were offered the coverage and do not want it. Many motorists are unaware that they have UMBI, UIM, and UMPD coverage on their own insurance policy. If your policy includes any (or all) of these additional coverage options, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries you sustained as well as for damage your vehicle sustained in a hit and run collision.
A Family Member’s Insurance May Be Able to Help
If you personally declined the additional uninsured/underinsured insurance policy, there may be yet another avenue available to pursue if you were injured by a hit and run driver. You may be covered as an “additional insured” under a family member’s liability insurance policy. If so, you are entitled to the same benefits as the primary policyholder. motorists coverage, or you are not the primary policyholder under a liability
