Legal Advice For Hit And Run Car Accident Victims
Ending up in a car accident can be traumatizing, no matter the severity. The prospect of paying for medical fees and damages to your vehicle is less horrible with insurance coverage or claiming compensation from the reckless driver.
However, what if the negligent driver flees the scene of the accident? Who then do you claim compensation from? What can you do to receive justice for your predicament?
The act of leaving the scene of an accident when involved in one is a criminal offence. Depending on the severity of the accident, the offence can be a misdemeanor or felony. The hit and run driver can be jailed up to five years (depending on the state of which has jurisdiction over the accident) and/or fined.
However, many states have a statute of limitation on the prosecution of the hit an run driver. If the driver is not found and not prosecuted within a number of years (in some states this can be as low as three years), the driver gets away Scott-free. He or she can confess the hit and run after the prosecution period without having to fear being criminally charged by a court of law.
What then can be done if you find the hit and run driver after the prosecution period? You can commence a civil action against the irresponsible driver and claim compensation for loss of income, medical expenses, vehicle repairs and any costs related to the accident. Seek the advice of a personal injury litigation attorney as soon as you can after the accident. The attorney can gather the evidence needed and may even find the driver in question.
Do gather as much information from the scene of the accident as possible. Information is invaluable, because if the hit and run driver makes a clean getaway, it is all you will have left. What kind of car were they driving? What color was it? What was the manufacturer? If you are not able to get a name for the make, you can use the logo for identification, as pretty much every car has one. Gathering evidence will also help if your insurance does not have an uninsured motorist coverage clause.
Should you find it difficult to pay for legal expenses, there are many lawsuit funding companies that can help. A lawsuit funding company will pay for your legal expenses first. You are only obligated to repay the money with an agreed fee if and only if you win the lawsuit.
Do note that if you have chosen to claim insurance on the accident, you relinquish the right to sue the hit and run driver. In other words, you cannot claim compensation twice. Make sure to think carefully before you claim compensation from your insurance coverage. Many victims simply pay the costs in cash to avoid penalty on insurance premiums and to be able to claim compensation against the driver.
Do the right thing and seek justice against a hit and run driver. Receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
For more advice on dealing with hit and run car accidents, please visit http://HitAndRunCarAccident.com. We have advice on how to find a hit and run driver and whether to claim insurance on your accident. Visit http://hitandruncaraccident.com now.
For more advice on dealing with hit and run car accidents, please visit http://HitAndRunCarAccident.com. We have advice on how to find a hit and run driver and whether to claim insurance on your accident. Visit http://hitandruncaraccident.com now.
Author Bio: For more advice on dealing with hit and run car accidents, please visit http://HitAndRunCarAccident.com. We have advice on how to find a hit and run driver and whether to claim insurance on your accident. Visit http://hitandruncaraccident.com now.
Category: Legal
Keywords: hit and run car accident, hit and run