Richmond Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers
Helping Virginia injury victims after a hit-and-run
Hit-and-run accidents are unconscionable. There is no legitimate reason for hitting another car, a pedestrian, or a bicycle rider and then driving off as if nothing happened. Drivers who hit another car or person have a legal and moral duty to stop and render assistance. They must provide their contact information and their insurance information. Hit-and-run drivers have a duty to wait for the police.
Sadly, hit-and-run accidents are all too common in Virginia. Whatever the driver’s excuse, our Richmond-based injury lawyers work aggressively to find the responsible drivers and hold them accountable. If the driver cannot be found, we can assist you with a UM/UIM claim through your insurance. Contact us today to get started.
How can we help?
Who is at greatest risk of injury in a hit-and-run?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, pedestrians face the greatest risk of injury or death. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, 24% of all pedestrian fatalities in 2021 were the result of a hit-and-run. In total, 1,802 pedestrians were killed in hit-and-run crashes.
Cyclists and motorcycle riders are also at risk of great injury in a hit-and-run. Like pedestrians, they lack the physical protection that another vehicle would provide in the event of a collision.
However, just because drivers and passengers in vehicles are more protected does not mean a hit-and-run cannot be devastating or deadly. Depending on the position and impact of the crash, drivers and passengers can sustain serious injury from the hit itself, as well as from airbag deployment or as the result of the car being pushed into traffic. If an occupant was not wearing his or her seat belt, there is a serious risk of trauma as a result of being thrown about the vehicle.
Injuries resulting from hit-and-run accidents in Richmond
Hit-and-runs can lead to devastating injuries, including.
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Broken bones/fractures
- Nerve damage
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Burn injuries
- Fatal injuries
How does a UM/UIM claim work in hit-and-run accidents?
If the hit-and-run driver cannot be located or that driver doesn’t have an insurance policy (a possible reason for running) you can use your uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance policy if you purchased UM/UIM coverage when you purchased your liability coverage.
In addition to the owner of the vehicle, anyone who was named as an insured on a car owner’s UM/UIM policy or lives in the household of the car owner can normally also file a UM/UIM claim. If a loved died, the family can file a wrongful death claim with the UM/UIM carrier of the car owner (or anyone who qualifies as a beneficiary of the policy).
A UM/UIM policy can also be used if the hit-and-run driver is found and has liability insurance but does not have enough to pay for all your damages.
If you can file a UM/UIM claim, our Richmond-based UM/UIM lawyers will work to show the driver was negligent. Normally, the fact the driver ran is a good indicator of negligence. We also work with your doctors and you to show all your financial and personal damages. Your UM/UIM policy pays for your damages up to the policy limits if the hit-and-run driver caused your accident.
Hit-and-run claims for pedestrians and cyclists
Pedestrians and bicycle riders who are injured in a hit-and-run where the driver is and remains unknown can file a “John Doe” claim. These claims are filed with their own insurance company. If the driver is found, however, then the claim would be filed against him or her.
How the criminal case affects your civil recovery
If the police or our investigators do discover the identity of the hit-and-run driver, there will likely be a criminal trial for violating the Virginia hit-and-run statute. The criminal trial usually proceeds first. A conviction is generally strong evidence that the hit-and-run driver is civilly liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one.
How much is my hit-and-run accident case worth?
The value of your personal injury case depends on many different factors. At Phelan Petty, our lawyers work with your doctors and employers to verify your injuries, the cost of your medical care, and your income losses, as well as the potential effect on your future financial security. We’ll also ask your doctor to explain how your injuries are affecting every part of your daily life.
Your damage claims include compensation for current and future:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Daily physical pain and emotional suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage
- Loss of bodily function
In hit-and-run cases, if the driver can be found, we usually file a claim for punitive damages because the driver’s conduct is so unconscionable.
We also file wrongful death claims. In Virginia, wrongful death claims include payment for the funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support the decedent would have provided, and the loss of guidance, support, and love the decedent would have provided.
Do you have a hit-and-run lawyer near me?
Phelan Petty’s law office is located at 3315 West Broad Street in Richmond. We’re close to the state courthouses. Our lawyers discuss hit-and-run cases at your home or a hospital if you are too sick or injured to come to our offices. Video and phone conferences are available by appointment.
Our lawyers will explain how you can hold hit-and-run drivers accountable and which insurance companies can pay your damage claims. We’ll guide you through every step of the claims process.
Speak with an experienced Richmond hit-and-run accident lawyer today
It’s important to file hit-and-run claims to protect your right to compensation and to send a message to the hit-and-run driver that his/her conduct is inexcusable. At Phelan Petty, our lawyers are respected by former clients, the insurance industry, and the legal profession for our impressive record of insurance settlements and jury verdicts. We’ll fight to obtain every dollar you deserve in hit-and-run accidents. To review your claim with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Richmond, call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent personal injury victims across Virginia.