Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyer: Getting Help In Nampa
Last updated Thursday, March 10th, 2022
Updated August 2020
Being in a car accident can be devastating, especially when the at-fault driver fled the scene. Drivers may flee the scene of the wreck because they want to avoid the repercussions of their negligent actions. Sometimes, the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run accident was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Regardless of the reason for the driver leaving the scene of the accident, they left behind damage, injuries, and trauma that cannot be ignored. There is no excuse for the pain you have been subjected to, and we want to help you make it right.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run car collision, reach out to our dedicated car wreck attorneys. A skilled Nampa hit-and-run accident lawyer at Skaug Law can fight for your rights and help you with your claim.
What To Do Following A Hit-And-Run Accident
Being involved in a hit-and-run car accident is a very scary time, and you may be bewildered by what has happened. Knowing what to do next is important.
1: Call For Emergency Assistance
After being involved in a hit-and-run car collision, you should contact the police immediately. It is best to give the police as much information as possible about the other driver and their vehicle. With this information, they can immediately begin the search for the other driver.
You should also ask for medical assistance at the scene, whether or not you feel your injuries are severe. It is also critical to seek the necessary medical care following the accident.
Medical treatment is not only crucial for one’s health but also for your claim. Having as much medical documentation as possible is going to be important to prove your injuries and their relation to the incident.
2: Photograph And Document The Scene
If possible, you should take several photographs of the car accident scene and the vehicle(s). While the police are also likely to document the scene for their investigation, having your own additional photographs is always a good thing.
Additionally, you should gather information from any eyewitnesses at the scene. These individuals may be able to later help you identify the hit-and-run driver or give a statement about what they saw, and that type of testimony is very beneficial.
3: Find A Reliable Lawyer
After this, you should contact a well-established hit-and-run accident lawyer in Nampa who will be able to help you with the local investigation right away.
Our lawyers at Skaug Law are ready to help those involved in a hit-and-run accident to recover compensation. To do this, we can investigate to find the at-fault driver if the police cannot. We can also calculate damages and preserve evidence following your wreck.
Your situation is unique, and the best way we can show you what is possible is to talk with you about what happened and what you need. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you get due compensation.
Types Of Hit And Run Accidents
When many people hear the phrase hit-and-run accident, they often think of an accident where a car hits a pedestrian and then drives away. While hit-and-run is often used in that context, that is far from the only type of hit-and-run accident that can cause injury and grief for those affected.
All of the following collisions can be classified as a hit-and-run accident if the driver leaves the scene:
- Between two moving cars
- Between a car and a pedestrian
- Between a car and a bicyclist
- Between a car and a parked car or other stationary property
In all of these hit-and-run cases, the driver leaving the scene when they were knowledgeable about the incident is illegal. Each of these situations, however, must be pursued differently because of the variances in who or what is involved. Our associates at Skaug Law have experience with many types of incidents, so we can handle the specifics of your case.
Hit-And-Run Car Accident Damages
The recoverable damages in a hit-and-run accident case are the same as in any other car crash case. One of our knowledgeable Nampa hit-and-run accident attorneys at Skaug can help injured claimants recover compensation for damages such as:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost income
- Ambulance, hospital bills, and emergency room costs
- Loss of earning capacity
A hit-and-run accident is a further aggravation of injury to the injured party. This adds to the damages when the at-fault driver is caught because juries tend to award extra money to those who have suffered due to a motorist fleeing the scene.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be awarded if the behavior of the at-fault driver was grossly negligent. Punitive damages are in place to punish the liable party for their bad behavior. The jury has the opportunity to punish the at-fault driver because they were so outrageous and reckless in their behavior when they hit the other party.
For more information about recovering damages, contact a dedicated attorney at Skaug Law.
How Do You Prove A Hit And Run?
Every aspect of handling a hit-and-run accident is difficult; proving what happened is another factor in those complications. Depending on how, where, or when the accident occurred, it can be hard to prove what exactly happened.
In order to prove your claim of a hit-and-run accident and see not only damages recovered but justice, it needs to be proved that the driver was aware they were involved in a collision and chose to leave the scene regardless of that knowledge.
Proving this can be done with your team from Skaug Law in a number of ways:
- Collecting the documentation you gathered at the scene of the crime
- Reviewing police reports
- Finding and talking to any eyewitnesses
- Setting up a third-party investigation of the accident
- Interviewing experts
We will work hard until we ensure we can prove what happened to you and help you find peace in what you have been through.
Hit-And-Run Collision FAQs
What Should I Do If I’m Injured In A Hit And Run Accident?
If you are injured in a hit-and-run accident, there are a few things you should do to ensure you are safe and that you are able to claim for the appropriate compensation later on:
- Stay where you are; do not try to move if you are injured unless you are directly in danger.
- Call emergency services for assistance; ask for police and medical to be dispatched.
- Document the scene of the incident, if possible.
- Ask any eyewitnesses to stay to give their statement; at the very least, gather their contact information.
- Seek medical attention.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer for assistance.
The time following an accident is very overwhelming, and hit-and-run accidents can add extra stress because of all the unknowns. Don’t go through this alone; call one of our experienced attorneys today for a free consultation.
How Do Insurance Companies Investigate Hit And Runs?
Insurance companies will begin investigating a hit-and-run accident once you file a claim. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to the case, and the adjuster will contact you for more information.
Generally, they will ask for the following information:
- Police report
- Photos from the scene
- Any additional images from third-party individuals
- Vehicle inspection
- Copies of medical records
- Copies of medical bills
- Release to be able to view the medical records
The investigation from your insurance company will be centered around whether or not you are at-fault in the accident and what happened to you. Their investigation, in many cases, can be more thorough than that of the police.
How Long Does A Hit And Run Investigation Take?
Unfortunately, there is not a set amount of time that a hit-and-run investigation will take. If the identity of the hit-and-run driver is unknown, the investigation and claim settlement can take weeks or months as the identity of the at-fault driver needs to be pinpointed.
The speed of the investigation and claim processing will rely on how much information is available for all parties to examine. Accidents that happen with many witnesses and cameras to view the details tend to be processed faster than those that happen in the middle of nowhere without much documentation.
The key to getting through a long investigation is persistence. The case should be consistently pushed forward, and having a great lawyer like the associates we have here at Skaug Law on your side to keep up the investigation is sure to help.
Can You Sue Someone For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident?
Yes; most states have laws in place that would make it possible for you to sue someone for leaving the scene of an accident. You can sue the at-fault driver for monetary compensation for your injuries, lost wages, property damage, and other suffering caused in civil court.
Idaho state laws require that any driver involved in an accident stay on or return to the scene of the accident. Any driver that leaves can be dealing with not only a civil lawsuit from you but also a criminal justice one from the state.
Can I Sue My Insurance Company For A Hit And Run?
You can file a claim against your insurance company under your uninsured motorist coverage if you were involved in a hit-and-run accident.
How Much Can You Get From A Hit And Run Lawsuit?
There is no set amount that you can get from a hit-and-run lawsuit against an at-fault driver who caused you injury, damages, pain, and suffering. The amount you pursue should be proportional to the severity of the accident, and this amount is something our lawyers can help you determine.
If you are filing a suit against your insurance policy, the limit on what you can get for a hit-and-run accident is typically determined by the limit on your uninsured motorist coverage.
Speak To A Hit-And-Run Accident Attorney At Skaug
When an individual flees the scene of an accident, they are breaking the law and can be held liable in court, if found. If you were involved in a hit-and-run car collision, reach out to our compassionate lawyers at Skaug Law.
Our experienced lawyers work in Nampa, and we can help you recover damages. Our lawyers can conduct an investigation to help find the liable party, talk to you about your claim options, and help you to understand what situation you are in.
Call today to schedule your consultation with our team. The sooner you reach out to one of our attorneys, the sooner you can recover damages following a hit-and-run car crash.