You may be entitled to financial restitution from either the at-fault driver or the at-fault driver’s insurance company in the event of a hit-and-run accident. If the other driver who hit you cannot be located, your uninsured motorist or PIP insurance may pay for your medical bills and other related expenses.
A lot of roadblocks stand in the way of hit-and-run victims seeking financial restitution for their injuries. Pain, bruises, and car repair costs may prevent you from making it to the office today. Pennsylvania’s hit-and-run and personal injury laws are convoluted, and insurance providers will put a lot of pressure on you to accept the smallest possible settlement. In the event that you are having trouble claiming damages for your losses, Sattiraju & Tharney can help.
Consequences For Fleeing The Scene Of An Accident
Under Section 3744 of Act 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, drivers must identify themselves and provide their contact information after an accident that results in the injury or death of another person or causes property damage. In a “hit and run” incident, one of the parties involved leaves the scene of an accident without rendering aid to the other people hurt. Escaping the site of a crime is itself a violation of the law.
A hit-and-run driver who has been captured is the only person who can be sued for damages. If your claim is approved, you might get compensation for:
- You are eligible for economic damages, which cover things like money lost:
- property damage
- expenses incurred for medical care and rehabilitation
- present and future monetary setbacks
- “Non-economic damages,” which are those that can’t be measured in money, can include things like:
- Distress and pain
- declining levels of happiness and social engagement
- emotional distress
- humiliation
For the sake of argument, let’s say the hit-and-run motorist was intoxicated or otherwise engaged in exceptionally horrific behaviour. If that happens, you could seek punitive damages in addition to any compensatory losses.
How To Make Insurance Work For You
Insurance payouts vary in size from policy to policy.
Drivers have the option of selecting either “full tort” or “limited tort” protection. In the event of an accident, if you have limited tort, your health insurance provider is obligated to pay for your medical care up to the policy’s maximum. Nonetheless, “serious harm,” which might include lifelong disability or death, must have resulted from the accident in order for a lawsuit to be filed.
If you file a claim with your insurer under the no-fault system, they will only pay for your property damage. After a car collision, no matter who was at fault, PIP insurance will cover medical expenses.
In the event of an accident with an uninsured driver, you can seek compensation up to the limits of your policy. Medical insurance coverage will kick in once the PIP benefits have been expended.
Summary And Conclusions
Auto accident attorneys can be of assistance during a hit-and-run incident by doing the following tasks:
Collecting evidence and conducting a comprehensive investigation of the crash site
Finding the careless motorist and putting an end to the ordeal
doing business with the insurance company in talks
Employing a team of specialists to testify in one’s favour is one method of ensuring positive testimony.
Courtroom argument presentation
Consult a lawyer well-versed in hit-and-run cases and the rules of your state to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.