Traffic accidents are very commonplace. They can happen in parking lots, on freeways, on residential streets, and more. The majority of car crashes are rear-end crashes where the rear of your vehicle is damaged and the driver essentially can walk away without a scratch. More often than not, the responsible party will stick around while you two figure out how to move forward. In some cases, though, the other driver will simply speed off, making it a hit and run crash. If you were involved in a hit-and-run crash, you may be able to receive compensation for your losses. Our law group, Normandie Law Firm, will be able to pursue a fair settlement for your damages.
What are reasons for hit and run accidents?
On general, car crashes are caused by some kind of negligence of a fellow driver. People are usually fairly attentive and have good control of their vehicles, but those traits are sometimes abandoned. Car accidents in general may happen for the following reasons:
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Running stop signs
- Failure to use turn signal
- Failure to merge properly
- Tired driving
- Texting while behind the wheel
- Drunk driving
It can also be difficult to control vehicles if there are environmental or external factors. During these times, it is wise to go slow and be extra careful of everyone around you. Examples include:
- Driving with a defective vehicle, such as a blown tired
- Snow, rain, sleet, fog, and other weather conditions that make driving tough and the vehicles harder to maneuver
- Road defects
- Lack of lights and streetlamps
- Curves, hills, hidden driveways, and other aspects
As noted, most of the time, drivers will get out and discuss information or what to do in the aftermath of the incident. In hit and run accidents, though this is not the case. Drivers may get involved in a hit and run or flee the scene of an accident because of the following reasons:
- Drunk driving, which would result in license suspension, jail time, points on their license, a fine, and more
- Warrants for their arrest have been issued
- Lack of insurance
- Lack of funds to pay for another person’s damages
- Driving a borrowed vehicle
- Underage at the time of the accident
- Tourist, out of state visitor, traveler, or other non-permanent resident
- Insurance will be removed if they get into another accident
- Fear of repercussions or retribution
It can be extremely frustrating to be in a hit-and-run accident, especially if you were present in the vehicle. You may have been going through an intersection only to be hit, and when you look up, you see that the other driver has sped off. It creates a whole new issue and makes the claim process needlessly difficult for you.
Fortunately, you can be fairly represented and have your claim taken care of with the help of our hit and run accident lawyers in Los Angeles.
What injuries can I suffer in a hit and run accident?
Hit and run accidents are like any other car crash, but the downside is that you may be too injured to call the ambulance yourself. Someone else at the scene may be able to, but if the only other person is the driver who fled, you may be left worse off than if he had stayed. The injuries you could suffer include:
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Nerve damage
- Burns
- Facial injuries
- Brain damage
- Closed head injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Puncture wounds
- Crushing injuries
- Abrasions, lacerations, cuts, and bruises
- Blood loss
- Severed limbs and digits
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Coma
- Death
Some of these injuries can be permanent and may result in a lifelong adjustment. You should be willing to take appropriate legal action to get restitution you deserve.
What proof should I have to file a hit and run accident lawsuit?
If you were in a hit and run accident, it is crucial that you gather evidence to prove that you were hurt. The most important evidence that you can have circles around your injuries and the damages to your vehicle. Therefore, you should make it a point to collect the following pieces of proof:
- Copies of medical treatment notes, doctor’s notes, X-rays, MRI and CAT scans, receipts from the hospital, and more to show that you got medical assistance
- Pictures of your injuries and the damages you suffered
- Photos of the damage to your car
- Photos of the scene of the accident
- If possible, dashboard camera footage, surveillance footage, or security camera videos that show the accident happen
- If you can get some kind of information about the fellow driver, like the make and model of his vehicle or his license plate, you should turn it in to the police so they can be on the lookout for him
- Testimonies and statements from eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen; these bystanders may have even seen the license plate of the driver, but it can still be difficult to track him down
- An estimate from your mechanic detailing how much the car will cost to be repaired
Upon collecting this evidence, you should call a lawyer with experience in hit and run accidents. We will organize your evidence, write the demand letter, hire expert witnesses to give additional proof, and submit the claim to the insurance agency. If you have any questions at any point, we will be glad to help.
What can I receive in a hit and run lawsuit?
Hit and run lawsuits are tricky. Because you were a victim yet there was no person who can be blamed for the accident, you will have to go through your own insurance agency for compensation. Our lawyers will file a lawsuit based on your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. Hit and run accidents must be pursued under your own policy. Insurance agents, of course, would prefer not to pay out these policies, and will likely fight at every step to avoid doing so.
This is why it is so highly recommended that you get representation from an attorney. If you try to file a hit and run crash claim by yourself, the insurance agent will likely ignore you or not respond to the claim. You may not have any negotiating experience or any past involvement with such claims, and thus you will be at a severe disadvantage.
Our attorneys can take care of your case for you if you lack the experience, knowledge, time, and energy. You should focus on recovering during the lawsuit so we can bring you the following damages:
- Reimbursement of medical bills, surgery costs, ambulatory transportation fees, prescription medication costs, payment of physical therapy sessions, future treatment payments, and more
- Reimbursement of lost income from the past and future for any time you could not go to work due to the accident, recovery, or medical procedures
- Payment for lost or damaged property, repairs to your vehicle, and more
- Pain and suffering damages if you were left with emotional injuries, anxiety, PTSD, fear, and more
In some cases, you can also pursue a wrongful death claim if a family member or loved one were killed n the hit and run accident. However, acquiring these damages will be extremely difficult. The goal will be to secure funeral and burial expenses, pre-death medical bill and pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of inheritance and savings, and more. We will strive to win you the maximum compensation available.
To proceed with your hit and run accident lawsuit, you can contact our law firm today to speak with an expert attorney.
What is the deadline to file a hit and run accident?
In California, the statute of limitations to file a hit and run accidents is 2 years from the date of the injury. If you fail to file a lawsuit in this time, you won’t be able to pursue any compensation at all. Deadlines are meant to ensure that evidence will be kept intact and both parties will have a fair chance in the claim, but in hit and run accidents, you are only dealing with your evidence and your side. It is wise to take the necessary amount of time to gather everything you need. Our lawyers will ensure that you do not miss a single deadline and that all of your proof and documents are submitted on time.
Your case may be able to have its statute f limitations temporarily suspended. If you were underage at the time of the incident, you could wait until you turn 18 years old to sue; the statute won’t start until you turn legal age regardless. Additionally, if you were injured to such a degree that you were left immobile or incapacitated, or if you had a severe mental breakdown after the incident, you do not have to adhere to the statute of limitations until you return to functionality.
Talk with our attorneys to ensure that you know how much time you have left to sue for hit and run damages.
How We Help You
Normandie Law Firm in Los Angeles has a team of qualified lawyers with years of experience in car accident and hit and run crash claims. We know the best ways to win cases and we have settled thousands of claims for our clients. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and will always go above and beyond. If we have to go to court, our aggressive lawyers will present your case in front of a judge and jury and see to it that you are fairly treated.
For a free legal consultation, call us today. We will answer your questions and help you understand the legal process. If you want us to represent you in your case, we will also give you our zero fee guarantee. This says that you will pay us no money, win or lose – we will either have a portion taken out of the settlement we win for you and we will get paid nothing at all.
Get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today to speak with a hit and run accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
