If you’re involved in a car accident and flee the scene, you could be charged with a serious crime. If you’re the victim of a hit and run, it can feel hopeless. However, an experienced personal injury attorney will help you pursue justice. At Carlson Bier Associates our car accident lawyer Palatine Illinois can help you navigate the process with ease and will help you pursue justice. Contact us today: 312-622-2900.
In Illinois, leaving the scene of an accident is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. According the AAA Motor Club, a hit-and-run crash occurs every minute in the United States.
Though not all hit-and-run accidents end in tragedy, fatal hit-and-run crashes have been on the rise in the U.S. In 2016, there were more than 1,900 fatal hit-and-run crashes nationwide — 69 of those in Illinois.Â
What is a “hit-and-run” car accident?
A hit-and-run car crash is a type of collision in which the driver at fault leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information with the other driver, or leaves a note on their windshield instead.
When an accident occurs, both drivers are required by law to provide each other with their names and contact information as well as any additional details about the incident (like whether anyone was injured). In some cases, if one driver can’t be found after a hit-and-run accident or refuses to give their information, police may be able to track down that person based on what they know about them.
A driver may leave the scene if they:
- Are under age
- Are driving with a suspended license or no license
- Don’t have car insurance
- Were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
- Are driving a stolen vehicle
- Have an outstanding warrant for their arrest
Whatever the reasons are for fleeing the scene, if you are the victim of a hit and run, you may want the support of a car accident lawyer Palatine Illinois. Our skilled legal professionals will do a thorough investigation and work to pursue justice for you.
Steps to Take After the Accident.
After the accident, if you have any injuries or property damage, it’s important to get medical attention right away. Depending on where you are and how much time has passed since the incident occurred, getting help from a local hospital might be your best bet. If an ambulance is called in advance of your arrival, it could give responders a chance to prepare for what they will see when they get there and it will help them evaluate whether or not treatment is necessary on site.
If you’re injured and have health insurance through your job or another source (like Medicare), make sure that someone from their office contacts them immediately after calling 911 so that your coverage can be verified before treatment begins. If it’s possible that someone else caused the accident but left before police arrived (and thus were never identified), having good contact information for witnesses who saw what happened can help law enforcement track down those responsible. In hit and run situations witnesses are important to the investigation into who was at fault for causing this accident.
Illinois Car Insurance requirements
If you’re involved in a hit and run accident, your car insurance company will pay for damage to your vehicle. But what about injuries? If you’re injured as a result of an uninsured driver, or one who doesn’t have enough coverage to compensate you for your injuries, then you may be eligible for compensation from the Illinois’s Catastrophic Injury Fund (CIF).
You must meet eligibility requirements set by the CIF before they will award benefits:
- You must have sustained serious bodily injury as the result of an incident that occurred in Illinois.
- Your medical expenses exceed $20,000 or more and are not covered by any other source like Medicare or Medicaid.
- Your total permanent disability has been determined as greater than 50%.
If you’re involved in a hit and run, a car accident lawyer Palatine Illinois can help you pursue justice
A car accident lawyer Palatine Illinois can help investigate a hit-and-run accident and make sure you receive the damages you deserve. If the driver is found, you can file a claim with their insurance provider or file a personal injury lawsuit against them. Even if the driver is not found, you may be able to recover damages through the insurance company.
At Carlson Bier Associates, our attorneys have experience with recovering damages for motor vehicle accidents. We also know how to negotiate with insurance companies. You deserve to be compensated for medical expenses and other damages and our attorneys give you the best legal representation possible.Â
