DIAL '3' FOR ME
334-333-3333Some of these accidents were miss-and-runs caused by a negligent driver whose vehicle doesn’t directly collide with your car and who drives from the crash without stopping.
Car accident injuries affect more than just your body. Many drivers experience depression, anxiety, driving phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Compensation for these issues requires the identification of the at-fault driver or uninsured motorist coverage.
These cases can be hard to prove and require independent witness testimony or video evidence. To increase your chances of success, contact a car accident attorney with The Vance Law Firm as soon as possible.
Several negligent driving behaviors cause motorists to swerve and collide with another car, object, or rollover. Some negligent drivers might not know they’ve caused an accident, and some might flee the scene intentionally. The following are a few common circumstances that cause miss-and-run accidents:
When drivers recklessly change lanes, like crossing multiple lanes with obstructed visibility, they can unintentionally run another vehicle off the road. A distracted driver simply swerving into your lane over the line can cause you to crash.
Cars driving the wrong way on one-way streets and divided highways cause other vehicles to swerve to avoid a head-on collision. Your vehicle might hit another car or an object, like a telephone pole or highway barrier.
An aggressive driver might intentionally run other vehicles off the road or prevent them from merging before fleeing the scene. They may also slam on their breaks aggressively, causing you to slow or stop suddenly and other cars to rear-end your vehicle.
When another driver causes your accident and drives away, note as many details about the vehicle as possible, including the license plate number, color, make, and model. Also, record any dents, bumper stickers, or other distinguishing characteristics you notice. This information can help police locate the car and driver.
Many insurance companies won’t accept the testimony of witnesses personally known to you, so talk to anyone who saw the crash and get their contact information. Their testimony is crucial in proving to the insurance company that another vehicle caused your accident and piecing together the circumstances of the collision.
Report the accident to the police immediately. Give the officer all the information you have gathered about the car and witnesses. Insist they search for the car. The sooner they start looking for the other vehicle, the better their chances of finding it.
Get checked out by paramedics or at the hospital as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately after an accident, so it’s essential to have an examination done. This action also documents your injuries and establishes your case.
A personal injury attorney can contact surrounding businesses to get copies of security footage that might show the accident. They can also subpoena footage from traffic cameras. Even if it doesn’t show the accident, the footage might show the car you described in the vicinity at the time of the accident.
Your lawyer can investigate and recreate the accident scene to show another vehicle’s involvement. They can interview independent witnesses who might have a better description of the other car.
Your attorney will make all attempts to identify the other driver; however, if they cannot find the responsible party, they can offer you alternative options for compensation.
Filing a claim against the negligent driver’s liability insurance is likely your best course of action. If police and your attorney can’t identify that driver, you can file a claim against your uninsured motorist policy or your medical payments coverage (MedPay).
Alabama requires all drivers to carry liability insurance covering at least $25,000 for one injured person in each accident, and you may have additional coverage depending on your policy.
Alabama doesn’t require uninsured motorist or MedPay coverage, but you can buy both types of insurance. The insurance company might insist that the uninsured motorist coverage shouldn’t pay the claim because the other driver didn’t make contact with your car. They might argue that the other vehicle didn’t exist. Your lawyer can diffuse these insurance company tactics and negotiate for a settlement on your behalf.
MedPay coverage only pays for medical bills associated with the accident, not property damage or lost wages. MedPay is no-fault insurance with a maximum coverage amount per injured person. The amount of coverage you purchase determines the limit the policy will pay.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer gives you a better chance to recover damages from a miss-and-run accident. They can help you navigate your options for compensation and file the appropriate documentation for a maximum settlement.
Contact a Montgomery car accident lawyer with The Vance Law Firm immediately after a miss-and-run accident. Working with a skilled legal team increases the likelihood of identifying the responsible driver and holding them accountable for your injuries.
Schedule your free case review with The Vance Law Firm and let us focus on your claim while you focus on your recovery.
