The Virginia Beach Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

If you are involved in a collision and the motorist who hit you flees the scene of the accident, not only is this extremely irresponsible of the other driver, but it is also illegal and the driver could face criminal charges. In addition, if you were seriously injured in the accident and the other motorist drove away, this could prevent you from getting the immediate medical attention you need. While it can be more challenging to hold the negligent party liable for their accidents and recover the financial compensation you deserve, there are several sources of compensation you can pursue, depending on the specific circumstances of your case.

The Virginia Beach hit-and-run accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC will conduct a thorough investigation, make every effort to locate the driver, and pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries.

What Makes Hit-and-Run Car Accidents So Complicated?

Car accidents are stressful enough when the at-fault driver remains at the scene and cooperates, providing the information necessary to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. However, when the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident, this can complicate the situation in the following ways:

Difficult to hold the negligent party liable. If the at-fault driver flees the scene of the accident, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to identify the driver who caused the accident. This makes it very difficult to hold the driver responsible for their actions, both legally and financially.
Limited evidence. It is difficult to collect the evidence necessary to pursue a personal injury lawsuit if you cannot identify the vehicle’s make, model, and color or provide a physical description of the driver.
Legal challenges. The process of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit can be much more complicated if the at-fault driver is not present. This can make the process of seeking justice and recovering compensation much more difficult. In some cases, car accident victims may need to try to recover damages through their uninsured motorist coverage if they have it.
Criminal charges. If the hit-and-run driver is caught, they could face criminal charges for fleeing the scene of a car accident.

What Steps Do I Take Immediately Following a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?

Leaving the scene of a car accident is considered a crime in every state, so it is essential that you call 911 as soon as possible to report the accident and request an ambulance if you suffer any injuries. Under no circumstances should you try to chase down the hit-and-run driver. If you are physically able to move around, take the following steps in the moments following the accident:

Get immediate medical attention from emergency medical technicians when they arrive at the scene of the accident. Even if your injuries seem minor, do not delay getting examined. Often, symptoms are masked by adrenaline immediately following the accident. If you avoid getting medical attention, your injuries could become worse and more difficult to treat.
Collect as much information about the hit-and-run vehicle as you can. For example, if you are able to take a picture of the car as it is driving away, this may provide valuable evidence, including the make, model, and color of the car, as well as the license plate number, any damage to the vehicle, and even a partial description of the driver.
If there are surveillance or security cameras in the area, request copies of the footage at the time of the accident.
If there were witnesses who saw the accident happen, ask if they could provide a description of the vehicle, the driver, or any other information that can help locate the hit-and-run driver.
Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and any injuries you sustained in the accident.
Get the name and badge number of the responding police officer so you can request a copy of the police report.
Notify your insurance company about the accident. Only provide the information necessary to file a claim. Keep in mind that your insurance company may present an initial settlement offer. However, you should avoid accepting an offer before discussing the settlement with an experienced hit-and-run lawyer.

What Damages am I Entitled to After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

A dedicated and experienced hit-and-run lawyer will review the details of the hit-and-run accident, including whether you were able to identify the driver or the vehicle as they fled the scene and explore all of the options for recovering damages. The Virginia Beach hit-and-run accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC can pursue economic and non-economic damages, including but not limited to:

All medical expenses associated with your injuries
Future medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages if the hit-and-run driver’s behavior was found to be particularly egregious

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer if I am Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Due to the nature of hit-and-run accidents and the more complicated process of recovering damages, it is in your best interest to work with a seasoned hit-and-run lawyer who has dealt with hit-and-run claims and will pursue all possible sources of recovery. This will allow you to focus on recovering from your injuries rather than feeling powerless and overwhelmed about the claims process.