Virginia Hit and Run Lawyer
While all car crashes are stressful, hit and run accidents are particularly frustrating. Not only was the at-fault party careless on the road, but they also fled the scene, leaving you to deal with the consequences. Without an identifiable at-fault driver, you might assume you have to bear the burden of the accident alone. However, hit and run victims have various legal options in Virginia to help them recover compensation for their injuries and losses.
Our law firm has secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. If you were injured in a hit and run crash, a skilled Virginia hit and run lawyer at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help you fight for justice, accountability, and compensation. Call (757) 333-3333 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation today.
On This Page
- How Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Assist With Your Virginia Hit and Run Accident Case
- What Makes Hit and Run Accidents Unique?
- Pursuing Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident
- Recoverable Damages in Hit and Run Accident Cases
- What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident
- Contact an Experienced Virginia Hit and Run Accident Attorney
How Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Assist With Your Virginia Hit and Run Accident Case
Known as “The Car Crash Experts,” the legal team at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers helps families get back on their feet after auto accidents. Founding partner John Cooper has more than three decades of experience handling personal injury cases, including those involving hit and runs. Our comprehensive legal services include:
- Thoroughly investigating the accident.
- Gathering all available evidence to build a strong case.
- Trying to identify the hit and run driver
- Filing all insurance and legal documents before crucial deadlines pass.
- Negotiating a meaningful settlement with insurers.
- Taking your case to court if doing so is in your best interests.
- Making sure you know your rights and are informed throughout the life of your case.
Working with our trusted car accident attorneys will significantly increase your chances of recovering full and fair compensation. Our firm has over 120 years of combined experience handling car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability claims, and other personal injury cases.
Let us put our experience and resources to work for you. Do not wait to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We have meeting locations throughout Hampton Roads, including:
What Makes Hit and Run Accidents Unique?
Hit and run accidents are uniquely complex and problematic due to many factors that exacerbate their impact on victims, the legal system, and society as a whole:
- Difficulty Holding the Responsible Party Accountable – One of the primary challenges in hit and run cases is identifying and locating the driver who fled the scene. Without the responsible party present, it becomes significantly more difficult to hold them accountable for their actions, both legally and financially.
- Limited Evidence – Hit and run cases often have very limited evidence available to reconstruct the accident for legal or insurance purposes. Witnesses, if any, may only have caught a fleeting glimpse of the fleeing vehicle.
- Emotional Effects – Victims of hit and run accidents can experience severe emotional distress beyond what might occur in accidents where all parties remain at the scene. The knowledge that the responsible party intentionally avoided taking responsibility can lead to feelings of injustice, vulnerability, and frustration, compounding the emotional trauma associated with physical injuries.
- Legal and Insurance Challenges – Legally, the absence of the at-fault driver complicates the process of seeking justice and compensation, often requiring victims to navigate the legal systems with uncertain outcomes. Victims may also struggle with their own insurance companies to cover damages under uninsured motorist clauses.
- Criminal Charges – Though fleeing drivers evade immediate responsibility, they also face potential criminal charges if caught. The prospect of criminal charges highlights the serious nature of leaving the scene of an accident.
- Public Safety Risk – Hit and run accidents represent a significant risk to public safety. They not only result in direct harm to the victims but also reflect a disregard for legal and moral obligations. Fleeing an accident scene suggests a willingness to put others at risk, which may open the door to punitive damages if the at-fault driver is caught.
Together, these factors make hit and run accidents particularly distressing and challenging. Remember, you do not have to face the aftermath of a hit and run alone. Our legal team is here to help.
Pursuing Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident
Victims of hit and run accidents can explore various sources of compensation, depending on the specifics of their case. Potential avenues toward compensation in a hit and run accident include:
- Civil Lawsuit – If the hit and run driver is eventually identified, you can file a civil lawsuit against them to recover damages. This could include compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. If the driver cannot be found, you can file a “John Doe” lawsuit instead.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage – This insurance coverage is designed to compensate you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or, in the case of a hit and run, cannot be identified. UM/UIM coverage typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage – This coverage may be part of your auto insurance policy and can provide immediate payment for medical expenses regardless of who is at fault.
- Collision Coverage – This part of your auto insurance policy may cover the repair or replacement of your vehicle after a hit and run, regardless of who was at fault.
- Health Insurance – Your personal health insurance may also cover your medical expenses following a hit and run.
- Victim Compensation Programs – Virginia’s crime victim compensation program can provide financial assistance to victims of hit and run accidents. This program may cover medical expenses, counseling, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more.
It is important to note that the availability of these compensation sources can vary significantly depending on your situation and the details of your insurance policies. Consulting with a hit and run lawyer can help you understand your options and navigate the process of claiming compensation.
Recoverable Damages in Hit and Run Accident Cases
Our Virginia hit and run lawyers can help you pursue economic and non-economic damages after a hit and run accident. Examples of recoverable damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
In certain situations, you may also receive punitive damages. Courts order punitive damages to punish the at-fault driver for particularly reckless behavior. These additional damages help deter the hit and run driver from committing the same acts in the future.
What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident
If you’re injured in a hit and run crash in Virginia, follow these steps to get the help you need and preserve crucial evidence for a possible lawsuit:
- Ensure Safety – Move to a safe location if possible to avoid further harm.
- Call the Police – Immediately report the accident to the police, providing all available details about the incident and the fleeing vehicle.
- Gather Evidence – Collect as much evidence as you can from the scene, including photos, witness information, and personal recollections.
- Seek Medical Attention – Get medical treatment for any injuries, even if they seem minor, to ensure your well-being and document your treatment as evidence for your claim.
- Document Expenses – Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, repairs, and any other costs incurred.
- Consult an Attorney – Consult with our experienced personal injury attorneys to explore your legal options and rights.
- Notify Your Insurance Company – Inform your insurer about the hit and run as soon as possible to start the claims process. To avoid being taken advantage of, you should ideally consult with an attorney before talking to insurers.
Contact an Experienced Virginia Hit and Run Accident Attorney
Virginia hit and run accidents are complex and require the attention of an experienced hit and run attorney. Without a legal professional in your corner, you could miss the opportunity to recover the full value of your damages. Our law firm has the resources to conduct a thorough investigation, collect evidence, and build the strongest claim possible on your behalf.
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we aim to help our clients by providing high-quality, individualized legal representation in their hour of need. Call (757) 333-3333 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation today. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
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