Florence & Myrtle Beach Hit & Run Accident Attorneys
Striking another vehicle and fleeing the car accident scene is a crime in South Carolina. Nonetheless, South Carolina residents continue to become injured in hit-and-run accidents. If a hit-and-run driver has injured you or your loved one, you’re probably concerned about how you’ll pay for your medical expenses. While recovering compensation after a hit-and-run accident can be challenging, you do have options.
Discuss Your Case With a Hit and Run Attorney
When it comes to pursuing compensation in hit-and-run cases, time is of the essence. A personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and the best way to pursue monetary damages for your medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. Contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can fight for you.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident
The steps you take after a hit-and-run accident are important. First, you should call 911 and request medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some injuries can take days or even weeks to become apparent, so it’s important you receive medical care as soon as possible. When the police officer arrives at the scene, choose your words carefully. It can be easy to admit fault due to the adrenaline and stress involved unintentionally.
Provide any information about the driver you can remember to the police officer, including the make and model of the vehicle and any actions the driver took before fleeing the accident. If you could take any photos of the hit-and-run driver or remember a visual description of him or her, provide those details to the officer. You will need to report the hit-and-run accident to your insurance company soon after it happens.
Obtaining Medical Care After a Hit-and-Run Accident
If you don’t go to the hospital, you should receive a medical evaluation from your primary doctor the day after the accident. Tell your doctor about all of your symptoms and keep all of your medical records. It’s also important to follow your doctor’s orders and take your prescriptions. Doing so will help you prove that the accident caused your injuries and that your injuries are as severe as you claim.
Locating the Hit and Run Driver
In South Carolina, drivers whose negligence causes an accident are liable for paying the victim damages for his or her injuries. In some cases, law enforcement officers can track down the hit-and-run driver through video or photographic evidence or from information in witness statements. In these cases, the victim can file a compensation claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a personal injury lawsuit against him or her. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to locate hit-and-run drivers.
Identifying All Liable Parties
When you can’t locate the driver who caused your accident, you still have options to recover compensation. You can pursue an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company or seek compensation from another third party whose negligence also contributed to the accident.
For example, if another driver’s negligence contributed to the accident, you can pursue damages from that driver. The municipal entity controlling the roadways could be liable for your injuries if their failure to maintain the roadway contributed to them. At Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA, we have the resources and experience necessary to thoroughly investigate your case and identify all at-fault parties from whom you can pursue compensation.
Does My Insurance Have to Pay for My Injuries?
Your insurance company may be required to pay for your injuries after a hit-and-run accident. If the other driver can’t be located, your only avenue may be to file a claim through your own policy. In South Carolina, drivers must carry the minimum required insurance amounts, including uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person for injuries, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damages. You can pursue damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to the limits of your policy.
Even if the driver is located, you may still need to file a claim with your own policy. The driver may have fled the scene because he or she didn’t have insurance. For example, if the driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, this is when your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help you. Other options could be using your health insurance coverage.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Filing a claim with your own insurance policy isn’t a guarantee that you’ll recover the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are on their own side, not on your side. They have a strong financial interest in giving you as little as possible. The insurance company may try to unfairly deny your claim or offer you a settlement amount that is far too low.
The attorneys at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA, are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies for the best settlement possible. When insurance companies act in bad faith or fail to offer a fair settlement agreement, we are prepared to litigate your case in court.
The Benefits of Working With an Experienced Attorney
You may feel like you don’t have any realistic options for recovery as a hit-and-run victim. Discussing your case with an attorney can help you understand your options for recovering the damages you deserve. You may be able to recover compensation through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or by pursuing a lawsuit against another at-fault party who contributed to your injuries.
Protect Your Rights With a Free Case Evaluation
The South Carolina hit-and-run attorneys at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA, will provide you with the skilled legal representation you need. After carefully investigating your claim, we will develop the best strategy possible for recovery. We will help you navigate the complex legal process while focusing on your recovery. You only have limited time to pursue compensation after a hit-and-run accident. Don’t delay. Contact Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA today to schedule your free initial consultation.