It may seem obvious to stop and exchange information with the other driver when you are involved in an accident. While you may attempt to do that, sometimes the other driver simply drives off before you can do anything. That is when you know you will need an Orem hit and run accident lawyer.
We come with decades of combined experience in bringing justice to personal injury cases. Let your hit and run accident be one of the many successes of an Orem car accident lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen.
Elements of a Hit and Run Accident
Any car accident can be shocking enough to send your mind spinning just trying to get a grasp on the situation. What is even more confusing is when the other driver is nowhere to be found. The law requires drivers to stop after an accident for several critical reasons, not just to be nice.
By staying at the scene of an accident, drivers can check to see if everyone involved is okay or if they need immediate medical attention. Drivers also exchange information so that insurance companies can start their processes. Engaging with first responders is also vital so that they can both render aid where it is needed and make an accurate report of the accident.
By running from the scene, a hit and run driver puts lives at risk and gets in the way of insurance and first responders being able to do their job efficiently.
Because they are neglecting their responsibility to their fellow driver, they face additional penalties if found. If they are not, you may need to file a claim with your own insurance.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accident lawyer serving Orem, call (801) 266-0999
Law Enforcement May Identify the Hit and Run Driver
The first thing that may come to mind after your hit and run accident is not knowing where the other driver went. Even if you saw which direction they went in at first, you may not know where they ended up. All hope is not lost, thankfully, due to modern traffic infrastructure.
Many intersections and light poles are equipped with cameras run by state government agencies. Cameras are now also commonly found in business buildings and even homes.
Through this footage, law enforcement will try to determine identifying information like the license plate number, the make and model of their vehicle, and even what the person looks like if we can see through their windows at all.
They could identify witnesses who may have seen something that the cameras missed. Hopefully, these can create a trail that leads to our culprit.
Your Orem personal injury lawyer can work with law enforcement, and if the responsible party is found, we can hold them accountable with a personal injury suit.
Orem Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Potential Damages if the Hit and Run Driver is Found
An attorney can go over compensation possibilities in a hit and run case, should the at-fault party be identified. Damages often claimed may involve:
- Medical expenses related to the accident, including future costs
- Lost wages if you are unable to work
- Loss of future income if your earning capabilities are diminished by long-term or permanent injuries
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, including funeral or burial costs
- Potential punitive damages
Damages can be sought in a civil suit in addition to the criminal charges a hit and run accident can bring. According to the Hit and Run Amendments bill, the fleeing driver can face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
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Comparative Negligence May Reduce Your Compensation
Despite the criminal actions of a hit and run driver, if the cause of the accident was partially your fault, you may share blame in the state of Utah under the doctrine of comparative negligence. Under comparative negligence, shared fault is represented by a percentage. If you contributed in any way to the accident, your settlement or award will be reduced by that percentage.
For example, if the total damages come out to $10,000 and you are deemed to be 40% responsible, your compensation will be reduced by $4,000. A hit and run accident attorney in Orem, UT, will examine the particulars of your case to see how comparative negligence will affect your claim.
If the hit and run driver is not found, however, there are other options. You can file a claim with your personal insurance to recover your losses. We can look into your case and your insurance policy to help you navigate the unique challenges of this type of claim.
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Filing an Insurance Claim After a Hit and Run Accident
Unfortunately, sometimes the hit and run driver is never identified. If that is the case for your claim, we can help you take the next best steps. Our attorneys can help you obtain a copy of the police report to give to your insurance company.
In Utah, your uninsured motorist coverage often applies to hit and run accidents. This can help offset any medical expenses and property damage. However, to recover pain and suffering damages or emotional distress, the hit and run driver will need to be identified and a personal injury claim be filed against the responsible party.
How an Orem Hit and Run Accident Attorney Can Help
When you hire a hit and run accident lawyer in Orem, UT, what you are really doing is setting yourself up for success in what would otherwise be a very difficult situation. We want to take on the hard work of building and arguing your case so that the legal system works for you, not the other way around.
Contact Siegfried & Jensen now for a free case evaluation. We are ready to discuss the details of your case so we can tailor our strategy to fit your needs. Make your next move the right move, and contact us today.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
