Don’t Let A Hit-and-Run Accident Ruin Your Life

Alabama law requires that motorists involved in a crash stop and render assistance. Any failure to follow this law can result in criminal penalties, including time in jail.

Nevertheless, each year dozens of people in Mobile are injured in hit-and-run accidents. Drivers flee the scene of a crash for a variety of reasons, but one thing is constant: victims are left to fend for themselves with disabling and painful injuries.

We can help. If you were hurt in a hit-and-run crash, you probably have many questions. Roger Varner Injury Law can meet to review the facts of your case as well as your legal rights. Contact our experienced car accident attorney in Mobile, Alabama today for a free case evaluation.

Receiving Compensation for a Hit and Run

In a normal car accident, both drivers stop and swap personal information, including insurance information. You can then make a claim on the driver’s insurance policy. The insurance companies investigate and then settle on who is to blame. If the other driver caused the wreck, you should receive money in a settlement.

With a hit-and-run, you obviously don’t know the identity of the driver who hit you. Does that mean you can’t receive compensation?

Fortunately, you can. If you have uninsured motorist coverage (UM), you can make a claim on this policy. You pay for UM coverage, but it will kick in to cover a hit-and-run accident so long as you aren’t at fault.

A UM insurance claim can cover:

  • Medical bills to treat your injuries
  • Lost income if you couldn’t get back to work due to your injuries
  • Pain and suffering

If you have collision coverage, you can also use it to pay for repairs to your damaged vehicle. Go through your paperwork to see what insurance you have. Collision is optional, though your lender will require it if you have a car loan. By law, all insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage to anyone buying insurance, though you might have declined it.

What to Do after a Hit and Run in Mobile

It’s sometimes possible for the police to catch the person who hit you. Ideally, you will get as much information as possible and share it with the police. They can then put out a bulletin asking the public to be on alert for the suspect.

Share with the police any of the following information:

  • A description of the car involved (color, make, model)
  • The direction the driver fled in
  • A description of the driver, if you saw them
  • Any distinctive marking on the vehicle, such as the license plate or a bumper sticker

If the police catch the suspect, you can then sue them in court. That increases the odds of receiving a fair settlement.

Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Mobile, Alabama Today

Most people are badly shaken by a hit-and-run. Knowing someone has hurt you but refused to render assistance is a devastating discovery.

Roger Varner Injury Law has your back. We can negotiate a settlement with your UM insurer or bring a claim against a driver once he or she is caught. To learn more, please contact us by calling (833) 482-7637 at your earliest convenience.