Consequences of Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident
Admin
September 1, 2021
Don’t Go It Alone, Call McGlone
Don’t Go It Alone, Call McGlone
Don’t Go It Alone, Call McGlone
Don’t Go It Alone, Call McGlone
Being involved in any motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming, especially if you suffer any physical injury or emotional distress. Sustaining any injury from a hit-and-run is not only frightening but also upsetting because the individual responsible for the accident will not be held accountable for their actions.
McGlone Law of Terre Haute, Indiana understands that a hit-and-run accident can be very upsetting as you probably are unsure of what steps you need to take to try and recover compensation for property damage sustained to your vehicle along with any medical expenses you may have incurred as a result of being injured.
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling hit-and-run accidents and can help you file a claim with your insurance company to recover the money you need to resume your life. Contact our law offices and ask to schedule a meeting with a legal team member to learn more information.
Call 911 to report the accident. Indiana law requires that you immediately report any injuries to law enforcement officials and request medical assistance. Fill out an accident report and be sure to obtain a copy of the accident report for your records.
Photographic and video evidence of the damage to your vehicle, the positioning of your vehicle, skid marks, will help with reconstructing the accident, proving fault, and recovering the compensation you deserve.
Witness statements can add credibility to your statements about what happened. If possible, talk to those who witnessed the accident and get their contact information so they can be contacted later if needed.
Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, you should always seek medical attention after an accident. You may have injuries that haven’t presented yet because of the adrenaline from the accident. If you wait, the insurance company will use your decision to not seek medical attention against you, claiming that you must not be injured badly if you didn’t seek help. This also goes for follow up visits. You should see your doctor every 30 days while your case is ongoing.
The best way to get the compensation you deserve is by contacting an attorney who specializes in hit and run accident cases. Using an attorney will ensure that you’ve got someone in your corner who knows all the ways the insurance companies are going to try to devalue your claim and who won’t let that happen to you. When looking for an attorney, look for one trained in accident reconstruction and skilled in hit and run accident personal injury cases. This kind of attorney will have the knowledge and experience with these kinds of cases that will best position them to advocate for you and the compensation you deserve.
Call 911 to report the accident. Indiana law requires that you immediately report any injuries to law enforcement officials and request medical assistance. Fill out an accident report and be sure to obtain a copy of the accident report for your records.
Photographic and video evidence of the damage to your vehicle, the positioning of your vehicle, skid marks, will help with reconstructing the accident, proving fault, and recovering the compensation you deserve.
Witness statements can add credibility to your statements about what happened. If possible, talk to those who witnessed the accident and get their contact information so they can be contacted later if needed.
Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, you should always seek medical attention after an accident. You may have injuries that haven’t presented yet because of the adrenaline from the accident. If you wait, the insurance company will use your decision to not seek medical attention against you, claiming that you must not be injured badly if you didn’t seek help. This also goes for follow up visits. You should see your doctor every 30 days while your case is ongoing.
The best way to get the compensation you deserve is by contacting an attorney who specializes in hit and run accident cases. Using an attorney will ensure that you’ve got someone in your corner who knows all the ways the insurance companies are going to try to devalue your claim and who won’t let that happen to you. When looking for an attorney, look for one trained in accident reconstruction and skilled in hit and run accident personal injury cases. This kind of attorney will have the knowledge and experience with these kinds of cases that will best position them to advocate for you and the compensation you deserve.
Out-of-pocket expenses you have because of the accident. These include: past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage.
Intangible losses that don’t have a fixed dollar amount and are subjective. These include: pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship, and permanent disfigurement and scarring.
Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for wrongdoing and to discourage others from repeating the behavior. These may be awarded when the defendant has acted intentionally recklessly or with gross negligence.
Our law firm is uniquely qualified to help personal injury victims recover damages that may be appropriate for their particular case. For example, Indiana law is stringent regarding allowing plaintiffs to try and recover punitive damages. In most instances, the injury victim is not entitled to file a claim for punitive damages simply because the defendant in the case acted negligently but not with willful intent to cause harm.
Nevertheless, an injury victim may recover punitive damages if it can be demonstrated that the other party knowingly acted in a manner that any reasonable person would believe had a probability of causing harm or injury.
If you feel that your case qualifies for punitive damages, you need to consult with a personal injury lawyer immediately. At McGlone Law, our lawyers have the experience to determine if your case qualifies for punitive damages and what amount would be appropriate to request in a settlement.
According to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana Law states a person may not operate a motor vehicle in Indiana if financial responsibility is not in effect with respect to the motor vehicle operated, or the person is not otherwise insured to operate the motor vehicle. All motorists that operate a motor vehicle on Indiana roadways are required to maintain the state’s minimum amount of liability insurance coverage for the vehicle they operate. The state of Indiana has a 25/50/25 minimum liability insurance requirement. This required minimum coverage includes $25,000 for bodily injury to or the death of one (1) individual, $50,000 for bodily injury to or the death of two (2) or more individuals in any one (1) accident, and $25,000 for damage to or the destruction of property in one (1) accident.
Drivers commit hit-and-run accidents for many different reasons, but Indiana has strong penalties for any driver who is caught committing such an offense. Some of the most frequently cited reasons for hit-and-run accidents include:
Hit and run accidents present unique challenges when it comes to seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. Here’s how a hit and run accident lawyer in Terre Haute can be a big benefit:
Remember, even if the hit and run driver isn’t found, a lawyer can still help you explore your options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We handle any hit and run accident case where you are not at fault. If you are partially at fault, we can still take your case as long as the other party is 51% or more at fault. Sometimes fault is unclear, so if you’ve been in a hit and run accident call us at (812) 247-8416 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Yes, you can. Multiple parties can be liable for the accident, and you shouldn’t assume that because you may have done something wrong, you are 100% at fault. Indiana follows a comparative negligence law. This law can mean that each party involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault, depending upon what they did or failed to do that helped to cause the accident. If you are assigned more than 51%, you are unable to pursue damages.
Several factors work together to establish fault after an accident. Evidence includes pictures or videos of the scene and vehicles, police records, witness statements, and more. Read our blog to learn more about comparative negligence and partial fault.
The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including hit and run accidents, is two years. If you are under 18 years of age at the time of the accident, the two year time window starts on your 18th birthday.
Copyright©2024, McGlone Law – The Accidents & Injury Attorneys. All Rights Reserved.
