what does a hit and run attorney do

by Miss Andreane Conroy 8 min read

A hit and run lawyer can help you get justice for the pain and injuries you have suffered due to the negligent actions of another driver. You may be able to receive compensation for personal injury, lost wages, medical bills, and in some cases even punitive damages.

Investigating and verifying all of the insurance and coverage that may be involved in your case. Getting you the best possible settlement as quickly as possible, which may include compensation for your pain and suffering, excess medical expenses, excess lost wages and other economic damages.

Full Answer

What happens in a hit and run in Michigan?

Hit and run accidents involving severe bodily injury or death will result in felony criminal charges, with criminal penalties including up to 5 years in prison and potential fines of as much as $5,000, or 15 years in prison, and up to $10,000 in fines if you were at fault in the accident, according to Section 257.617 ...

Can you sue for a hit and run in Michigan?

In Michigan, to have a successful lawsuit requires proving the accident victim is less than 51% at fault or they are completely barred from compensation for their pain and suffering.

Can you sue a driver in Michigan for an accident?

A driver who is injured in a car accident in Michigan can bring a lawsuit to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering compensation but in Michigan the injured driver must first be able to show that he or she has suffered a “serious impairment of body function.”

What happens if someone hits your car in Michigan?

If someone hit your parked car in Michigan you need to call the police to report the accident and document the damage to your vehicle. If possible, get the at-fault driver's name, address, e-mail, phone and auto insurance information.

Is Michigan a no-fault state for car accidents?

Michigan law requires you to have no-fault automobile insurance on your car. If you have an accident, this required insurance pays for injuries to people and for damages your car does to other people's property and to properly parked cars. IT DOES NOT PAY FOR ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO CARS.

Who pays for vehicle damage in Michigan?

Collision and Comprehensive Insurance If your car is properly parked and hit by another car, the other driver's no-fault coverage will pay for the damage to your car. Except for this one situation, the only kinds of auto insurance that will pay for repairs to your car are collision and comprehensive coverage.

How does Michigan no-fault work?

Michigan has no-fault laws regarding car accidents, which means that your own car insurance will cover your injury-related costs whether or not you were at fault in causing or contributing to your accident.

Do I have to pay my deductible if someone hits me in Michigan?

The deductible is waived if you are not “substantially at fault.” Significantly, even if you are 100% NOT at-fault, you will still have to pay a deductible if you have standard collision coverage.

How much is a hit and run ticket in Michigan?

Hit And Run Punishments In Michigan The fine you could be hammered with is up to 10,000 dollars. If you cause an accident that results in damage to a vehicle, you could only be guilty of a misdemeanor. This charge is only punishable by 90 days in jail and a $100 fine.

How do I report a hit and run in Michigan?

Call the police to document the hit-and-run accident. Talk to the officer. Tell the officer clearly and truthfully what happened. Provide any information you recorded regarding the at-fault driver and their vehicle.

Can an uninsured driver sue me in Michigan?

You cannot sue for a car accident if you're without insurance even if you were not at-fault driving your vehicle in Michigan.

What do you do in a hit and run?

What to do if you're the victim of a hit and run. If you're involved in a hit and run accident while driving, pull over to the side of the road as soon as it's safe to do so and switch on your hazard lights. Don't chase the offending driver, and don't leave the scene of the accident yourself.

How do police find a hit and run suspect?

Police normally locate a hit and run suspect by tracking the registration of the vehicle in the accident back to a physical address. It is not uncommon to have police immediately leave the scene of an accident and go directly to the registrant’s home in hopes of locating and speaking to the register owner of the vehicle. In other instances, patrol officers will generate investigative leads and a detective will follow up in the days or weeks after the accident.

How long does it take to get hit and run charges?

The length of time the State has to file hit and run charges depends on type of offense. If the offense involved only property and no one was injured, then the offense is likely a misdemeanor and the State has one (1) year to charge you with a crime. If, however, an injury was sustained, then the offense could be a felony and the State would have seven (7) years to charge you with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death.

What is hit and run in Arizona?

Hit and run Arizona law separates non-injury related accident into three separate categories: Attended Vehicle – if you hit a car that someone else is driving; Unattended Vehicle – if you hit a parked car; Property Damage Only – if you hit a fence, a mailbox or some other personal property.

What to do immediately after a hit and run?

When it comes to hit and run, the things you do immediately after the accident can help you avoid being charged and better your chances of a positive outcome, if you are charged. Swift decision making and thoughtful consideration of representation is imperative.

What happens if you hit a car and no one is in the other vehicle?

If you hit a car and no one is in the other vehicle, and the owner or operator does not appear to be in the area, there are still things you are legally required to do.

What to do if you leave the scene of an accident?

If you have been involved in leaving the scene of an accident, it is important that you understand the law and potential consequences before speaking to anyone besides an experienced hit and run attorney about the accident.

Is hitting and running a serious offense in Arizona?

Hit and run is a serious offense and can lead to severe consequences. Under Arizona hit and run law, leaving the scene of an accident can be broken down into two main categories: Hit and Run Accident – Non-Injury Related; or. Hit and Run Accident – Injury Related. If you have been involved in leaving the scene of an accident, ...

How Hit and Run Lawyer Can Help Me in Hit & Run case?

A hit-and-run accident can be very overwhelming. Finding a criminal defense attorneys who’s familiar with personal injury and auto accident cases is very important. Your attorney can help you with a variety of different things:

What Should I Do if I’m in a Hit and Run Accident?

Florida hit and run accidents are most common at dusk, dawn, and at night. It’s important to always drive defensively. Pedestrians and cyclists also need to use caution near roadways, driveways, and intersections.

What Should I Do if I Hit a Parked Car and No One is Around?

You’re backing out of a parking spot and think you have just enough room to wiggle out of the spot. Then you feel the bump from hitting the other car behind you. Accidents happen, but it doesn’t have to be a hit and run.

What to do if you hit someone in a car crash?

If you have any passengers with you, check on them. Seek medical attention for any injuries anyone got from being involved in hit and run crash. Call 911 if someone else hasn’t already.

What is hit and run?

The most basic definition of a hit and run is a driver causing an accident, then leaving the scene of an accident, regardless of if there’s a serious injury or only property damage. Often, these accidents cause property damage, personal injuries, or even death.

What is the law in Florida for a hit and run?

Florida law requires drivers involved in a car crash, even if there’s just property damage, to stop at the scene of the accident or as close to it as possible. Not doing this after a hit and run can bring charges of a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida.

What to do when you are in an accident?

Pull over and stop as soon as it’s safe for you to do. You don’t want to cause another accident by stopping somewhere that isn’t safe. Keeping yourself safe is also important. Don’t get out of your vehicle on a busy road or you could be injured in another accident.

What is a hit and run accident?

A hit-and-run personal injury accident is one in which another vehicle strikes the vehicle in which you are the driver or a passenger, or strikes you as a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or cyclist. If the other vehicle (driver) leaves the accident scene, it’s a hit and run.

What does "hit and run" mean?

For some, it’s a baseball play where the baserunner moves toward the next base as the pitch is delivered , and the batter’s job is to put the ball in play. For others, it’s a movie or a song. For lawyers, it is a term we hear often from our potential clients, but one that people frequently misunderstand.

Why does it matter to activate your own auto insurance?

Why does that matter? Because to activate your own auto insurance, there has to be contact. This rule is based upon the policy language and existing law interpreting insurance policy language.#N#Unless you explicitly declined the coverage in writing, your auto insurance policy contains coverage for Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM). It mirrors the limits of liability for your liability insurance.

What happens if you don't have insurance in Illinois?

If the person has no insurance, IDOT will report the name to the Secretary of State, and the SOS will suspend the person’s driver’s license.

What to do if you are hit by a car?

As in all cases involving injury and potential liability, if you have been hit by a vehicle, immediately get medical treatment, report the crash to police and your own insurance company, and contact a lawyer with expertise in your type of case, such as bicycle accidents or pedestrians hit by cars.

How to file a claim for an accident?

Exchange insurance information if the driver is around. Get medical treatment immediately. File a claim with your auto insurer, but do not give a recorded statement. Then, contact a lawyer.

Is it a hit and run if the other driver stays at the scene?

Finally, and rather obviously, if the other driver stays at the accident scene, it’s not a hit and run. However, if the responsible driver stays around but has no insurance, or the policy excludes them as driver or does not cover their commercial use (such as an off duty ride share driver), then you may still have a potential UM case under your own policy.

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