Hit and Run Omaha
March 7, 2023 | Accidents
Have you been involved in a hit and run accident? As if being the victim of a car accident wasn’t traumatizing enough, having the responsible driver driving away and leaving you to your fate can be devastating. It can create many complications in recovering compensation especially if the driver cannot be found. You will be left wondering how you will cope with the aftermath of the accident.
A hit and run accident can leave you feeling overwhelmed and even confused. You may not know which way to turn or whom to turn to. However, there is no time to waste. You should get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. There are several ways that an experienced attorney can help you after a hit and run accident.
An experienced attorney will:
- Review your case
It is a great relief to learn about your rights and options when you feel overwhelmed and confused. An experienced attorney will review the circumstances of your case and determine the best way to approach it. They will help you figure out what to do next and how you can recover financial compensation.
- Help you locate the driver
Hit-and-run drivers flee the scene of the accident for various reasons. It may be that they don’t have insurance, were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, didn’t have a license or were in shock themselves. It is important to locate the driver in order to seek compensation from them for your injuries. An experienced attorney can help you do that. They will work with law enforcement as well as with their own resources to identify the hit-and-run driver. This will ensure that you can hold the driver accountable for their negligence.
- Prove liability
Fleeing the scene of an accident is a criminal offense. If the hit-and-run driver is caught, they will face criminal charges. However, even if the driver is charged with a crime, you will still need to prove liability in order to recover compensation. This can be quite a technical process even in what seems like an obvious case. It requires an in-depth understanding of the law as well as a good amount of resources. Your lawyer will help you establish all the legal requirements to prove that the hit-and-run driver is responsible for your injuries and damages.
- Ensure that you meet deadlines
It is vital that you get started with working on your case as soon as possible. This is because the window within which you will be able to recover compensation for your accident is limited. This is known as the statute of limitations. It begins on the date of the accident. If you fail to file for compensation within this period, you could miss out on the opportunity to recover compensation.
- Handle all communication
Victims of hit and run accidents are often devastated and overwhelmed by their experience as well as the aftermath of the accident. It would be difficult for you to have to face insurance companies and other parties after the accident as you seek compensation. Your attorney will act on your behalf. They will handle all communication from all parties involved and negotiate for compensation on your behalf. They will help you avoid common pitfalls and fight to recover just compensation. They will help you avoid unfair tactics by insurance companies.
- Represent you at trial
In many cases, personal injury cases end with a settlement. However, if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your case may proceed to trial. You will need an experienced attorney to represent you at trial and argue your case before a judge and jury. They will prepare your case, present it to the court, cross-examine witnesses and break down the defendant’s case. They will give you a good chance of winning.
What if the Hit-and-Run Driver Cannot be Found?
There are some instances where hit-and-run drivers aren’t caught within the period of the statute of limitations. There are even some instances where the responsible driver is able to completely evade law enforcement. What can you do when this happens?
Your attorney can help when the hit-and-run driver hasn’t been caught. They can help to get the statute of limitations on your case to be paused or tolled until the driver is found. This means that the clock on the statute of limitations will begin to run once the driver has been located. You will therefore be able to file for compensation against the driver once they are located. Your attorney will also help you pursue other options to recover compensation.
If you have been the victim of a hit and run accident, contact our law firm and schedule an appointment for free consultation with an attorney. Learn about your rights and options.