Cole, Cole, Easley, and Sciba Trial Attorneys can help you if you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Victoria. It’s frustrating being in a car accident. But it’s particularly frustrating when the other driver leaves the scene without doing what they’re supposed to do. That leaves you feeling stuck with a lot of questions and uncertainty. Our team will be there to support you, though. Set up a free consultation today.
Why a Lawyer Makes Sense After a Hit-and-Run Accident
A hit-and-run accident is different from most other car accidents because the driver responsible isn’t there to exchange information or accept responsibility. That doesn’t mean your case ends there, but it usually means there’s more work involved in proving what happened and finding a path toward financial recovery.
That’s obviously when talking to a lawyer starts to make sense. Our team of Victoria hit-and-run accident lawyers can help you by:
- Looking into what happened and gathering the facts.
- Making sure important evidence isn’t lost or overlooked.
- Talking with witnesses and tracking down available video footage.
- Handling the insurance companies and the back-and-forth that comes with a claim.
- Exploring every available option for getting your medical bills, lost income, and other damages covered.
Perhaps most importantly, having someone manage the claims side of things allows you to focus on getting better instead of worrying about all the problems that come from these kinds of accidents. With us, you don’t have to worry about paperwork, deadlines, and insurance adjusters. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process while working to put you in the strongest possible position moving forward.
What Information Should You Try to Get After the Accident?
After a typical car accident, exchanging insurance information gives you a starting point for your claim. In a hit-and-run, you don’t have that luxury. That’s a big reason why hit-and-runs are so frustrating and challenging. But it also makes the aftermath there at the scene particularly important in terms of what you need to try to get.
If you’re able, call 911 right away to get an ambulance and police to the scene. Then, try to remember as much as you can about the car that hit you, especially things like:
- The color of the vehicle.
- The make and model.
- A full or partial license plate number.
- Which direction the driver went after the collision.
- Any visible damage to the vehicle.
From there, it’s about getting all the standard things you would with any other car accident, like:
- Witness names and contact information.
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene.
- Information about nearby businesses or homes that may have surveillance cameras.
- The responding officer’s information and police report number.
- Medical records that document your injuries, as well as any ongoing treatment.
With a hit-and-run accident, even small details or pieces of information can end up being valuable. But again, you have to remember that you’ll probably also be in pain from the collision. Your main focus should be on getting medical care first, and then from there, our team can help you get as much information as possible.
How Liability Works With a Hit-and-Run Accident
Many people assume that if the other driver leaves the scene, things end there. That’s not necessarily true. Even if the other driver flees, liability works the same way. The person that’s responsible for paying for your damages depends on who was negligent and caused the accident.
A lot of times, that’s the driver that fled the scene, but not always. Others could share liability, like:
- Another driver that wasn’t directly involved in the collision
- The city or state government
- The company that made the car or its parts
- A pedestrian or bicyclist
Even though liability works the same way in a hit-and-run as it does in other kinds of car accidents, the difference is pretty obvious. How things play out is going to depend if the driver is found or not.
Can I Still Get Damages in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Another of the biggest misconceptions about hit-and-run accidents is that you can’t recover financial help unless the other driver is found. Fortunately, that’s simply not true. You have the same right to damages as you do in any other car accident. Things just work differently with a hit-and-run. The way the claims process plays out splits things into two potential paths:
- If the driver is found, things proceed as normal through their auto insurance or a lawsuit.
- If they’re not, you have to go through your own car insurance policies, which can include:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
- Collision coverage
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Either way, you’re negotiating with an insurance company for your damages. And even if you’re going through your own insurance carrier, everything depends on how hurt you are, how well liability can be shown, and what the policy limits are. And your damages are going to be made up of your:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost income while you’re unable to work
- Reduced earning ability if your injuries affect your career
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
Every accident is different, so the damages available depend on the severity of your injuries and how they’ve affected your daily life. Some people recover within weeks, while others require months of treatment or continue dealing with lasting pain and limitations.
Texas also places deadlines on filing personal injury claims. Currently, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file. And unfortunately, the longer you wait, the harder it can be to track down the driver and negotiate with the insurance company. One way or the other, though, our team can help you from the very beginning.
Cole, Cole, Easley, and Sciba Can Help After a Victoria Hit-and-Run Accident
Any car accident you’re in is frustrating, but it goes to a whole other level when the other driver leaves the scene. But hit-and-run accidents still happen in Victoria everyday, and they still bring challenges and questions.
At Cole, Cole, Easley, and Sciba Trial Attorneys, we understand how challenging these types of accidents can be. We’ll investigate what happened, preserve important evidence, handle talks with the insurance companies, and help you find every available source of financial help for what you’ve been through. Most importantly, we’ll be there to answer your questions and guide you through every stage of the process. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
