A Guide to Personal Injury in a Hit-and-Run
If you are hit by a car while walking, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It is important to discuss your case with a personal injury attorney to understand your rights based on the facts of the case. While designating who’s at fault in the accident may seem straightforward, vehicle-versus-pedestrian accidents can be complicated legal determinations.
People involved in pedestrian accidents frequently suffer injuries that require long-term physical therapy or are permanently debilitating. There are also quality of life issues to consider. This guide gives you a brief overview of the important aspects of hit-and-run personal injury lawsuits.
What Qualifies as a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A recent Governors Highway Safety report shows pedestrian fatalities rose by 46% between 2010 and 2019, primarily due to more vehicles and greater amounts of foot traffic. In North Carolina, 200 to 300 people are seriously hurt in collisions with motor vehicles each year. So how do you know what constitutes a hit-and-run?
A driver (whether at fault or not) must stop at the scene of an accident they are involved in. Drivers commit a hit-and-run when they have an accident but fail to render aid to a severely injured person and flee the scene.
What Steps Should I Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The most important concern after being struck by a car is to get the medical help you need. In the event of a serious injury, hopefully, someone will step up and assist in the absence of the driver.
If you are alone and able to make a call, get emergency medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you’ve sustained any physical harm, ask for a medical examination. In serious accidents, conditions and complications often appear after the fact.
How Do I Receive Compensation?
Locating a driver after a hit-and-run accident can be a difficult if not impossible task, especially if there are no witnesses and the injured party does not have any recollection of the event. If the driver is located, here are two ways to get compensation:
- Special compensatory damages: These awards cover any losses related to an injury, and there is no limit to claims or damage amounts.
- General compensatory damages: These awards cover non-monetary losses that all personal injury victims experience, such as pain, suffering and mental anguish.
Your attorney can help you explore all the ways to get compensation for your injuries.
How Can a Lawyer Help With A Personal Injury Claim?
GMFM Law is your advocate for personal injury claims, and your guide through each part of the legal process. If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact us today for a case evaluation and get the legal help you need!
