The aftermath of a hit and run accident can feel incredibly daunting. You may have high medical bills, significant damage to your vehicle, and a long struggle to recover compensation. In some cases, you may not be able to identify the vehicle and driver that hit you. When you sustain injuries in a hit and run car accident in San Bernardino, a dedicated car accident attorney is your side and can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Recovering Compensation After a Hit and Run in San Bernardino
A hit and run accident can result in severe damages, which often means high financial bills. Injured people may need help to cover those expenses and move forward with their lives. Fortunately, several types of insurance coverage may offer protection after a hit and run.
The Injured Person’s Insurance Policy
When the police cannot identify the driver that caused the hit-and-run car accident in San Bernardino, or that driver does not have insurance, the injured person’s auto insurance policy may cover some of the damages. The recoverable compensation may depend on the type of coverage they need to use.
- Uninsured motorist: Coverage for the damages caused by a hit-and-run accident, including vehicle damage
- Full coverage insurance: This usually includes uninsured motorist coverage and will allow the injured party to recover damages related to the accident
- MedPay: Offers coverage for the cost of medical treatment related to any car accident
A lawyer can ask for the full compensation an injured person deserves, even when dealing with their own insurance policy.
The Other Driver’s Insurance
If the police identify the driver that caused the accident and that driver carries insurance, the injured party has the right to file a claim for the damages associated with a hit and run through that driver’s insurance. That can include the cost of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any damage to their vehicle. Injured people who carry MedPay insurance will need to use it to cover the cost of medical treatment before seeking compensation through a personal injury claim.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Hit-and-Run
When someone sustains injuries in a hit-and-run car accident in San Bernardino, a lawyer on your side can help them seek full compensation. A lawyer can:
- Itemize the damages and calculate the expected compensation for losses
- Collect evidence related to the accident, including evidence of who caused the hit-and-run
- Explain options for pursuing compensation, even if the police did not identify the driver who caused the accident
- Fight on an injured person’s behalf
- Ensure all needed paperwork is filed before the statute of limitations runs out. The deadline is two years from the date of the accident or the date the injury was discovered.
Many people hurt in hit-and-run accidents find having a lawyer on their side increases the compensation they can recover, even after paying their legal fees.
Hit-and-Run Convictions and Injury Claims
A hit-and-run conviction on a driver’s record can serve as potent evidence when putting together an injury claim. However, even without evidence, the injured person can still file a claim against the driver that caused the accident.
Contact a San Bernardino Hit and Run Lawyer Today
If you suffered injuries in a San Bernardino hit-and-run, do not try to handle your claim alone. Reach out to the hit-and-run accident lawyers at Valero Injury Law today for a free consultation.