When a driver flees the scene of a crash in Athens, Alabama, and leaves you to grapple with the aftermath alone, their failure to take responsibility adds more stress to an already challenging situation. Even if the police find the driver who fled, you could have trouble recovering fair compensation for your injuries. If the police don’t find the other driver, you have to contend with the challenges of an uninsured motorist claim.
Don’t face this situation alone. Instead, get help from the Athens hit-and-run accident lawyers at the law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. We can review the situation, evaluate your options, and fight for maximum compensation for you.
Whether you need help with a claim against the other driver or with an uninsured motorist (UM) claim with your own insurer, we’re ready to handle the legal details while you rest and heal.
Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a lawyer for hit-and-run crashes in Athens, Alabama.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident in Athens?
Alabama Code § 32-10-1 requires anyone involved in a car accident with injuries, deaths, or property damage to stop at the scene and give their name and contact information to any other driver involved in the crash. A hit-and-run is an accident where one of the involved drivers violates this law.
If you were hit by a driver who fled the scene, our hit-and-run accident lawyers in Athens, Alabama, can evaluate your case and help with your next steps in the insurance claim and personal injury lawsuit process.
What Steps Should I Take If I’m the Victim of a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Taking the right steps immediately after a hit-and-run crash can improve your ability to receive compensation for your injuries and losses. It’s crucial to act quickly and thoughtfully to protect your legal options after a car crash with a hit-and-run motorist.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Report the accident. Contact the police to file an official report. Provide as much detail as you can remember about the other vehicle, its driver, and the accident. Once you’ve reported the accident to the police, they can begin searching for the other driver.
- Don’t chase the hit-and-run driver. Don’t put yourself and others at risk by pursuing the hit-and-run motorist involved in the crash. Leave it to the police to search for the driver. Focus instead on providing the police with solid information to identify and apprehend the hit-and-run driver.
- Seek medical attention. Your health should be your priority after a crash with a hit-and-run driver. If you don’t receive emergency medical attention at the scene, go to an emergency room, urgent care center, or primary care physician for a thorough examination as soon as possible after the crash.
- Document the crash scene and gather evidence. Collect any evidence related to the collision, such as photos of the scene, your injuries, and any damage to your property. Keep all medical records and receipts for the treatment of your injuries.
- Consult with our Athens hit-and-run collision lawyers. As soon as you can, contact our law firm for hit-and-run accidents in Athens, Alabama. We can potentially help track down the other driver, negotiate with insurance companies, and protect your rights.
Contributing Factors in Hit-and-Run Crashes in Athens
Hit-and-run crashes are alarmingly common, as there are many reasons that drivers might want to take their chances running rather than interacting with police.
Here are some of the primary reasons why drivers flee car accidents and break the law:
- Impaired driving – Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not have the judgment or courage to face the consequences of their actions, leading them to flee the scene.
- Distracted driving – A driver distracted by their phone, other passengers, or other in-car activities might panic and leave the scene out of fear of being held liable for their negligent actions.
- Lack of insurance or valid driver’s license – A driver without insurance coverage might try to avoid financial liabilities and legal repercussions of a collision. An unlicensed driver might want to avoid potential penalties.
- Outstanding warrants – Drivers with existing legal issues or outstanding warrants might leave the scene to avoid arrest.
- Panic – In some cases, the sheer panic and shock of an accident can cause a driver to irrationally flee the scene.
- Fear of penalties – Fear of severe legal penalties for traffic violations or other offenses may also contribute to a driver’s decision to run.
Will My Auto Policy’s Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply If the Driver Is Never Found?
If the police cannot find the other driver but your auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, it should apply to the crash. In these situations, insurance companies treat the crash as if you collided with a driver who doesn’t have insurance. Assuming you have UM coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company and seek compensation up to the limits of your policy.
While Alabama law requires all insurance companies to offer UM coverage, drivers have the option to decline it as part of their policy. Unless you actively rejected the coverage in writing, you likely have it as part of your policy.
It’s essential to have a hit-and-run car accident lawyer review your auto policy after a collision to make sure you fully understand your options for recovering compensation. Even though “your” insurance company handles your UM claim, it’s vital to get help from our experienced hit-and-run accident lawyers. We stand ready to fight for your best interests, unlike the insurer, which focuses on minimizing payouts and maximizing profits.
How Our Lawyers Can Help with a UM Claim and Other Issues After a Hit-and-Run
At Morris, King & Hodge, we are well-equipped to handle your UM claim, any liability claims or lawsuits you might be entitled to file, and other legal challenges following a hit-and-run crash. Our lawyers are adept at working with insurance companies to secure fair compensation for your injuries. We understand the nuances of UM coverage and can fight to maximize your claim, even when the at-fault driver remains unidentified.
What’s more, we won’t charge you any upfront fees for our services. We understand that money is probably tight right now and that every dollar counts. That’s why we’ll take our legal fee only if and when we recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact Our Experienced Athens Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyer Today
Did another driver hit you and then flee the scene? Working with an Athens, Alabama, hit-and-run accident lawyer is vital to pursuing a full recovery. Call Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., today or reach out online to get started with a free case review.
