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 auto 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:
In California, you may decline Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage by signing a written waiver confirming that the coverage was offered and you chose to reject it. If you do not sign a written rejection, Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage are generally included with your policy by default. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) is optional and must be affirmatively selected if you do not carry collision coverage.
Many motorists are unaware that their policy includes UMBI, UIM, and/or UMPD. If you were involved in a hit and run accident, let’s check your insurance policy first, meanwhile looking for a witness or surveillance camera recording to identify the hit-and-run vehicle. If your policy includes any of these coverages, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, including a hit-and-run vehicle.
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. Your damages may be covered under a family member’s liability or another insurance policy. Let’s evaluate your particular situation, and understand all the options you may legally have.
