Child & Jackson helps people through the confusion and uncertainty of a hit-and-run car accident in Folsom. Any car accident is frustrating, and they can come at the absolute worst time for you and your family. But when it’s a hit-and-run, it’s a whole different level of frustrating. Our team can make sure you have what you need to file a claim and get financial support. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Get a Lawyer After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Folsom?
What really separates a hit-and-run from all the other types of car accidents comes down to one thing: unanswered questions. Even still, you aren’t required to get a lawyer when the other driver flees the scene after they collide with you.
But that doesn’t mean you won’t need help—especially when it comes to getting what you need to move forward with your life and take care of your injuries. That’s where our team at Child & Jackson can step in and help by:
- Looking into what happened and gathering the facts surrounding the accident
- Making sure important evidence isn’t lost or overlooked
- Handling conversations and negotiations with the insurance companies—either the other driver or your own
- Exploring every available option for covering your medical bills, lost income, and other damages
Perhaps most importantly, having our team on your side allows you to focus on getting better while someone else handles the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations that often follow a serious car accident.
What Information Helps a Hit-and-Run Car Accident Claim?
Another thing that’s at a premium in hit-and-run car accident claims is information. The only problem with that is it’s a bit different than a normal car accident. Normally, you would be able to exchange information with the other driver, and that would give you the starting point for an insurance claim. You obviously don’t have that in a hit–and-run, but you’re not stuck. Instead, you have to focus on what you can get at the scene and shortly thereafter, like:
- The color of the car or vehicle
- The make or model
- A full or partial license plate number
- The direction the vehicle was going in
- Visible damage to the car
- Witness contact information
- Pictures and videos from the scene
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes
- Police reports and medical records
Basically, the scope is widened when there’s a hit-and-run. What feels like a minor thing—like the direction the car drove off in or even the color—can make all the difference in being able to later track the driver down. Even if you ultimately aren’t able to do that, you can still go through the claims process and recover damages.
Damages That You Can Get in a Hit-and-Run Accident Claim
At its core, a hit-and-run accident is still a car accident. That means you’re left dealing with all the typical things that come with them. Injuries, car repairs, missed work, pain are all still a part of what you’re going through. So, a lot of people in this situation are surprised to learn that the actual process for getting damages remains the same as any other car accident. It’s about filing:
- An insurance claim out of court.
- A personal injury lawsuit in court.
With the claim filed, your “damages” are going to involve costs relating to your:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current lost wages or a loss of future earning potential if you can’t go back to your old job
- Repair/replacement costs for your car
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
And that’s not the only similarity: you also still have to meet the statute of limitations to file your claim—two years from the date of the accident. The only difference comes down to how things get paid for.
How Damages Are Paid For With a Hit-and-Run Accident
One of the first questions many people ask after a hit-and-run accident is simple: If the driver disappeared, who pays for everything? And it’s a fair question. After all, the person who caused the collision is usually responsible for paying damages. When that person leaves the scene, it can feel like you’re left carrying the financial burden on your own.
Fortunately, that isn’t always the case. The easiest way things play out is if police end up finding the driver, which they do more often than not. However, you have to be prepared in the event that doesn’t happen. At that point, things turn to your own coverage that includes:
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM). Hit-and-run drivers are often treated similarly to uninsured drivers because their identity is unknown. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, it may help pay for injury-related losses resulting from the accident. This coverage is designed specifically for situations where the at-fault driver either has no insurance or can’t be found.
- Collision coverage. Collision coverage may help pay for repairs to your vehicle regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage is often especially important in hit-and-run cases because it can provide a way to take care of car repairs even when the responsible driver is never found.
- Medical coverage and health insurance. Medical treatment can’t always wait for an insurance investigation to finish. Depending on your policy, Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay) and health insurance may help cover treatment costs while your claim moves forward. This can provide important financial relief during the early stages of recovery.
Many drivers are surprised to learn that coverage they’ve been paying for over the years may apply after a hit-and-run accident. Understanding exactly what protections are available under your policy can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
Why Hit-and-Run Accidents Happen in Folsom
There is never a good reason for leaving the scene of an accident. Unfortunately, it happens more often than many people realize, mostly out of fear of:
- Getting arrested for driving under the influence
- Not having insurance
- Driving with a suspended license or no license at all
- Other outstanding legal issues
In other situations, drivers simply panic. A collision happens unexpectedly, and they make a poor decision in the moment rather than stopping and taking responsibility. This frequently happens in:
- Parking lots and shopping centers
- Areas around Palladio, Broadstone Marketplace, and other busy retail centers regularly experience heavy vehicle traffic, particularly during evenings and weekends.
- At busy intersections at East Bidwell Street, Blue Ravine Road, Iron Point Road, and Prairie City Road
- Rear-end collisions in heavy traffic
- Collisions with pedestrians and bicyclists
Again, none of these factors excuse such a poor choice. If you hit another driver, the law says you have to stop and help. You expect others to do the same, but that doesn’t always happen. When you’re in a hit-and-run, one thing you don’t have to question is who’s on your side.
Child & Jackson is On Your Side With a Hit-and-Run Accident in Folsom
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling stuck. You may know you’re injured. You may know your vehicle needs repairs. What you may not know is where financial support will come from or what steps you should take next.
At Child & Jackson, we understand what you’re going through and we’ll be there to help you get through it. Set up a free consultation today to get started.