Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and Run Accident Attorney
Being involved in any accident is a traumatic experience, but hit-and-run accidents where a motorist simply drives away from the scene, without bothering to exchange information or identify himself, can be even worse.
In any accident, both parties have legal obligations to each other. They are required to acknowledge each other and exchange contact information, including addresses and names. If the accident has involved a motorist and a stationary vehicle, with no driver inside the car, then the motorist is required to leave a note with his or her contact information on the other person’s car.
When one driver simply speeds away from the scene of the collision without bothering to do any of the above, he said to have been involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Obviously, if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who drives away from the scene and does not exchange any information, your claims for compensation become even more complicated. A hit-and-run accident is a serious criminal offense in Maryland, but that does not necessarily make your claim for compensation easier.
In most cases, drivers who decide to speed away from the scene of an accident without stopping are those who do not possess any insurance. Other times, these motorists are guilty of reckless or aggressive driving that has caused the accident. These are at-fault motorists, and may have been engaging in a number of reckless practices at the time of the accident, that may place them at risk of liability. For instance, intoxicated motorists often don’t bother sticking around to face the implications of their drunk driving.
Typically, if you have been involved in an accident with a hit-and-run motorist who you are not able to identify or locate, then you may be eligible for compensation under your uninsured motorist policy. Uninsured motorist policies can help cover you when you are involved in an accident with an underinsured driver, or an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver.
Motorists are mandated to purchase insurance, but often, the insurance amount is not sufficient to cover the expenses of an accident. Uninsured motorist coverage comes in handy in such situations. Uninsured motorist coverage also helps cover expenses arising out of hit-and-run collisions.
Every situation is unique. If you have questions about an accident you’ve been involved in, Contact Us.