Hit and run car accidents in Walterboro occur when a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene without providing information to the other driver involved, or fails to notify the police if personal injuries are involved.
If you were injured in a hit and run incident, you likely have many questions about what your next steps should be and whether you can collect compensation for your losses. An experienced car accident attorney might be able to help. Contact the office of Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today to schedule a consultation.
Common Reasons for Leaving the Scene of an Accident
A common pattern for Walterboro hit and run auto collisions are those involving drunk drivers. A driver can be so intoxicated that they keep going after an incident because they do not realize what they are doing. However, some drunk drivers know that they are likely to be arrested if they are stopped, so they leave the scene to evade criminal or civil liability for the accident.
Another common reason for leaving the scene of a crash is a lack of insurance. Sometimes uninsured drivers will flee to avoid penalties from the DMV for violating insurance laws. This also includes drivers who cause accidents that have suspended or revoked licenses and know they should not be driving. They will want to leave quickly to avoid criminal responsibility.
Leaving a crash site also often happens in incidents involving vehicles hitting pedestrians. Sometimes drivers will even flee a scene because they are scared of the negative impact that an accident may have on the amount of their insurance premiums.
Collecting Compensation After a Hit and Run
Hit and run accidents differ from a typical car accident in Walterboro in that the other driver flees and is rarely found. Hence, the injured individual is unable to make a claim against them and their insurance carrier. However, this does not necessarily mean that the individual has no hope of recovering compensation. In South Carolina, all drivers who purchase car insurance are required to buy uninsured motor vehicle coverage on their policy. In a hit and run situation, the fleeing at-fault driver will be deemed uninsured, triggering the injured party’s uninsured motor vehicle policy.
It is essential to hire a qualified attorney as soon as possible to evaluate the case because the individual would still need to prove fault on behalf of the fleeing driver and account for the damages they have sustained. An attorney can help provide this evidence to maximize the potential value of a claim
What if the Driver is Found?
If the fleeing driver is discovered, a jury may not only award the injured individual damages to compensate them for their injuries, lost wages, and emotional trauma, but they could also award punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for behavior that is found to be particularly harmful. Leaving the scene of an accident is punitive conduct because the other driver is knowingly and willingly attempting to evade responsibility.
Reach Out to an Attorney if You Were Injured in a Walterboro Hit and Run Car Accident
Car crashes are difficult enough without the added stress and confusion of the other driver leaving the scene. If you were injured in a hit and run car accident in Walterboro, you do not have to figure out the process alone. Reach out to a dedicated attorney from Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today to schedule a consultation to find out how we can help.
