Do I Need a Lawyer After a Hit and Run?

Do I need a lawyer after a hit-and-run? At Conboy Law Injury and Medical Malpractice Lawyers, we help Chicago victims navigate the complex aftermath of hit-and-run crashes. When a negligent driver flees the scene, you need someone who understands how to pursue compensation through all available channels.

This guide explains why having a car accident attorney after a hit-and-run is essential. We’ll show you how to protect your rights and why skilled legal counsel makes a difference in your financial recovery.

Understanding a Hit-and-Run Accident

Hit-and-run accidents happen daily in Chicago, with thousands reported each year. These crashes occur when a driver strikes your vehicle, a pedestrian, or property and then leaves the scene without providing information or helping injured parties.

The impact of these accidents extends beyond physical damage. Many victims face challenges with their insurance claim when the other party can’t be identified.

Let’s look at what legally counts as a hit and run and why drivers make the harmful choice to flee an accident scene.

What Qualifies as a Hit and Run?

Under Illinois law, a hit and run occurs when a driver involved in an accident fails to:

• Stop at the scene
• Provide their contact and insurance information
• Help injured people
• Report the accident to the police

Any driver who crashes into another vehicle, pedestrian, or property must remain at the scene. This legal obligation exists regardless of who caused the accident.

Hit and runs include:

1. Vehicle-to-vehicle collisions where the driver speeds away
2. Drivers who hit pedestrians and flee
3. Damage to parked cars with no contact information left behind

Drivers who flee the accident scene face criminal charges in Illinois. Penalties range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on injury severity. Those who leave injured people behind face the most serious consequences, including jail time and license suspension.

Common Causes of Hit and Run Accidents

Drunk driving is a primary reason drivers flee accident scenes. Intoxicated drivers often fear DUI charges and make the rash decision to run, which worsens their legal situation and delays help for injured victims.

Driving without auto insurance prompts many hit-and-run incidents. With mandatory liability coverage in Illinois, uninsured drivers worry about financial responsibility and legal penalties. This forces victims to rely on their own insurance policy for coverage.

Outstanding warrants or suspended licenses trigger flight responses. These drivers fear the accident will lead to an arrest for prior offenses. Some drivers panic after a car crash and make poor decisions out of fear.

A skilled attorney can use these insights to build stronger uninsured motorist claims. Understanding why the driver fled helps develop more effective legal strategies for your financial recovery. If you want to discuss your case, you can file for a free consultation with an experienced attorney who will help you navigate running car accident claims while you spend time healing. Your rights will be left unchanged.

The Role of a Car Accident Attorney After a Hit and Run

While you focus on healing, we handle the complex legal process needed to recover compensation. Our experience with hit-and-run cases allows us to take immediate action when evidence is fresh.

The following sections show how we identify hit-and-run drivers and guide you through critical steps after your accident.

How a Lawyer Can Help Identify the At-Fault Driver

Our legal team uses proven methods to track down hit-and-run drivers:

• Obtaining traffic camera footage from nearby intersections
• Securing surveillance video from local businesses
• Working with law enforcement on witness statements
• Analyzing physical evidence from the accident scene
• Checking repair shops for vehicles with matching damage

We collaborate with experienced investigators who specialize in finding negligent drivers who flee crash sites. These professionals use techniques not available to the average person.

When the at-fault driver is identified, we can pursue compensation through their insurance company. This often leads to faster and more complete financial recovery than relying solely on your policy.

Legal Steps to Take After a Hit and Run

After a hit-and-run accident, take these important steps:

1. Report to the police immediately. Illinois law requires reporting accidents with injuries within 10 minutes. This police report becomes crucial for your insurance claim and potential personal injury lawsuit.
2. Document everything. Capture images of vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any remaining evidence. Collect contact information from witnesses before they leave.
3. Seek medical attention right away. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent. Medical records created shortly after the crash connect your injuries directly to the hit-and-run accident.
4. Notify your insurance provider promptly. Many policies include uninsured motorist coverage for hit-and-run situations. Contact an attorney immediately before giving recorded statements to any insurance company.

We ensure these steps are completed properly and within legal deadlines. Our team handles the claims process while you concentrate on recovery.

Why You Should Hire an Attorney for a Hit and Run Case

We bring critical knowledge about uninsured motorist coverage to your case. Most Chicago drivers don’t realize that their own insurance companies often protect hit-and-run drivers. We know how to maximize these benefits while avoiding claim denials.

Our negotiation skills protect you from insurance tactics designed to minimize payouts. When the driver’s insurance company is located, we use proven strategies to secure proper compensation for:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages during recovery
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Pain and suffering

The Consequences of Not Hiring a Car Accident Attorney

Many hit-and-run victims attempt to handle claims alone, only to realize too late they’ve made costly mistakes. Without legal training, important deadlines are missed, and settlement offers fall short of covering real expenses.

Insurance companies often utilize in-house counsel whose primary responsibility is to defend the company’s economic viability. When facing these professionals without your personal injury attorney, the playing field tilts sharply against you.

Let’s examine the specific risks of handling these claims without legal help.

Risks of Handling a Hit-and-Run Claim Alone

Illinois sets a two-year deadline for personal injury claims, despite many policies mandating prompt notice within days. Without a lawyer tracking these deadlines, your right to compensation may expire.

Accepting inadequate settlements happens frequently when victims don’t understand the value of their claim. Quick offers from your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company (if found) rarely cover long-term expenses.

Consider this example: A Chicago hit-and-run victim accepted a $7,500 settlement before discovering their injury required surgery. After accepting the offer, they couldn’t seek additional compensation despite $40,000 in medical bills.

Hit-and-run cases involve extra complexity because of their investigation challenges. Without legal counsel, you might not know how to build a compelling claim when the driver can’t be identified.

How Insurance Companies Handle Hit-and-Run Cases

Insurance companies often use these tactics in hit-and-run cases:

• Quick, low settlement offers before you understand your full damages
• Claim denials based on policy technicalities
• Demands for extensive proof that another vehicle was involved
• Delays in processing claims, hoping you’ll accept less out of frustration

Your own insurance company’s uninsured motorist coverage should protect you after a hit and run, but these claims face heavy scrutiny. Adjusters often request excessive documentation before approving benefits.

Watch for these warning signs of bad faith practices:

• Excessive delays in responding to your claim
• Pressure to give recorded statements
• Requests to sign medical releases for your entire history
• Offers made before you complete medical treatment

These tactics aim to minimize your settlement rather than provide the fair compensation you deserve for your personal injury case.

What to Look for in a Hit-and-Run Lawyer

When meeting potential lawyers, look for someone who listens to your story and clearly explains your legal options. The right attorney makes you feel confident while treating you with respect.

Consider these key qualifications when selecting legal representation.

Experience with Hit and Run Accidents

Specialized experience with hit-and-run cases should top your priority list. These unique cases demand knowledge of uninsured motorist claims and accident investigations that many general practice attorneys lack.

Ask potential lawyers:

• How many hit-and-run cases have you handled?
• What strategies work best for identifying drivers who fled?
• How do you approach cases where the driver is never found?
• What is your success rate with uninsured motorist claims?

Experienced hit-and-run attorneys understand policy details that affect your compensation. They know how coverage limits apply and how to fight claim denials from your insurance provider.

Verify a lawyer’s experience by checking online reviews and asking about specific case results similar to yours. Most reputable firms share information about past settlements while respecting client confidentiality.

Track Record of Securing Fair Compensation

A strong record of results shows a lawyer knows how to win hit-and-run cases. Look for attorneys who can point to specific examples of successful claims against both at-fault drivers and insurance companies.

Hit-and-run victims often qualify for several types of compensation:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages during recovery
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation costs

The best hit-and-run lawyers focus on maximum compensation rather than quick settlements. They understand the full impact of your injuries and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Personal injury lawyers typically receive payment through contingency fees, securing payment only after clients receive compensation. This arrangement means you pay no legal fees upfront while dealing with accident expenses.

Contact a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Consultation