Car accidents are almost always traumatic for victims. But the stress can be overwhelming when the person who caused the crash flees the scene without talking to police, giving you their contact information, or even checking to see if you and your passengers are okay. Trying to track down the at-fault driver can be difficult, especially when you’re injured and dealing with a damaged vehicle.
Because hit-and-runs are criminal matters, police work hard to find the at-fault parties. However, they only have so many resources to devote to these crashes. In addition, they can’t help victims with their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering—but an experienced Fresno hit-and-run accident lawyer can.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know how frustrating and devastating it can be when the person who seriously injured you can’t be located. We’ve helped many hit-and-run victims get the closure and compensation they deserve, and we can help you, too. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Hit-and-Run Accidents Are Especially Challenging
All car accidents can be challenging from a legal perspective when victims pursue compensation, but hit-and-run crashes are uniquely difficult for a few reasons:
- Unidentified Driver: Not knowing who the at-fault driver is cuts off a major source of compensation for injured drivers and their passengers.
- Emotional and Financial Strain: When victims can’t file claims against the insurance of the at-fault drivers, they face greater financial instability and stress—especially when they can’t work due to their injuries and have expensive medical bills to pay.
- Role of Law Enforcement: Because hit-and-runs are criminal matters, victims are often required to provide statements and cooperate with police—all while trying to recover from their injuries.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Fresno
Knowing what to do immediately after a hit-and-run accident can make a big difference in your health, your right to compensation, and even the chance the at-fault driver will be identified:
- Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries.
- Call 911: Report the incident to the police and obtain an official accident report.
- Gather Evidence: Collect details such as witness statements, vehicle descriptions, and photos of the scene.
- Seek Medical Attention: Get your injuries evaluated and documented, even if they appear minor at first.
- Contact an Attorney: Early legal intervention is critical for investigating the accident and protecting your rights.
Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accidents
The injuries associated with hit-and-run accidents are similar to those suffered in other types of crashes. However, they can also be worse when the at-fault driver doesn’t stop to render assistance or call for help, which means critical minutes may pass before victims receive medical treatment.
- Head and Brain Injuries: Many hit-and-run victims must deal with the long-term cognitive and physical effects of concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Serious hit-and-run crashes can result in spinal cord injuries, which can cause temporary or permanent paralysis affecting some or all of the body.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: These injuries are common during hit-and-run accidents and often require surgery and a prolonged recovery.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Whiplash, sprains, and strains are also common crash-related injuries.
- Emotional Trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety are common in drivers and passengers who were injured by hit-and-run drivers.
How Insurance Covers Hit-and-Run Accidents
The primary source of compensation for people after car accidents that weren’t their fault are the insurance policies of the at-fault drivers who hit them. But because hit-and-run crashes mean the at-fault driver left the scene and hasn’t been identified, victims’ options are more limited.
They include:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in California, and it’s incredibly valuable in hit-and-run car accident cases. It allows you to get compensation from your own insurance when the at-fault driver is uninsured or can’t be located.
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): While optional, MedPay coverage can help you pay for some of your medical bills after a crash.
- Collision Coverage: Collison coverage is part of many drivers’ auto insurance policies, and it can cover repairs or the replacement of your vehicle after a crash.
Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee any of these insurance policies will be paid out to you in a timely or fair manner. Insurance companies are in business to make money, and that often comes at the expense of the people who need payouts the most. Insurers have many tactics for reducing or denying claims, but experienced legal representation can level the playing field.
Compensation Available for Hit-and-Run Victims
If you were injured in a hit-and-run crash, you may be eligible for many different types of compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for immediate treatment, ongoing care, and future medical needs
- Lost Income: Reimbursement for missed work and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
- Property Damage: Repairs or replacement for your vehicle and other belongings damaged in the crash
How Berg Injury Lawyers Can Help You
Hit-and-run car accidents are unique among many types of crashes because of the criminal element. Our lawyers work with law enforcement while conducting our own investigations to help identify and hold the at-fault driver accountable for the damages they caused to our clients. We do this by interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and even hiring private investigators.
In addition, we also work hard to ensure our clients are paid fairly from the avenues of compensation available to them. That means building a strong case showing the other drivers’ liability, our clients’ damages, and negotiating to get them maximum compensation. When insurers refuse to pay our clients the money they’re owed, we don’t hesitate to take them to court.
Contact Our Fresno Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers Today
The stress and anxiety after a hit-and-run accident can be overwhelming—especially when you’re dealing with serious injuries and an uncertain timeframe for going back to work. If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident in Fresno, let Berg Injury Lawyers take some of the stress of the accident off your shoulders.
From tracking down the at-fault driver to protecting your rights to maximum compensation, we’ll work hard to give you peace of mind. Contact us today for a free consultation.