Bautista LeRoy Law Firm can offer guidance after being involved in a hit and run accident. Our attorneys have long provided excellent personal injury representation in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. We believe clients get optimal results when represented by attorneys with deep expertise in specific fields - our team specializes in cases such as car, truck, train and motorcycle collisions as well as nursing home neglect/abuse.

This article highlights the complexities surrounding hit and run accidents, their common scenarios, and why hiring an attorney is essential to recovering damages.

What Is A Hit-And-Run?

"Hit and run" accidents occur when an offender leaves an accident scene without leaving any contact info behind, providing assistance or reporting the accident. Victims of this crime may become vulnerable and confused as it can be a struggle to identify who caused the accident.

Under the law, all parties involved in an accident must exchange information and inform authorities, but hit-and-run accidents make this process more challenging. This can be especially concerning in cases in which victims suffer significant physical injuries or property damages.

What Are Common Hit And Run Accident Scenarios?

Hit-and-run accidents may arise in many different ways. Below are a few common scenarios:

• Rear-end collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicyclist accidents
• Parking lot accidents
• Uninsured or underinsured drivers

How Can You Seek Compensation After Being Hit And Run Accident?

Recovering compensation after a hit-and-run accident can often prove challenging. There are various ways you could pursue this:

• Uninsured Motorist Coverage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Filing a Police Report
• Legal Action

Why Is Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney Beneficial?

Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can make all of the difference when involved in a hit and run accident. Here is why:

• Expertise in Complex Cases
• Maximizing Compensation
• Investigating the Case
• Protection of Your Rights

When Is It Best To Hire An Attorney?

Once involved in a hit-and-run accident, consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible - especially if injuries are severe, mounting medical or communicating between insurance providers is becoming difficult.

Early consultation with an attorney increases your odds of gathering evidence successfully, tracking down those responsible and building an effective case. It can also ensure that crucial deadlines don't pass unnoticed and that your rights are upheld.

What Are The Criteria For Finding A Good Attorney?

• Expertise: Hire a personal injury attorney with experience handling hit-and-run accidents.
• Reputation: Research an attorney's track record in recovering compensation and read client testimonials.
• Communication: Choose an attorney who will keep you well-informed throughout all aspects of the legal process.

Why Choose Bautista LeRoy LLC?

Bautista LeRoy Law Firm takes great pride in offering exceptional legal representation for personal injury cases. Our legal team has years of expertise when it comes to handling the legal process and helping victims of motor vehicle accidents obtain maximum compensation.

Understanding legal proceedings can be challenging, that is why our team is here to guide you throughout this entire process.

Suggested Action Steps

• Call 911 immediately, this will ensure emergency services arrive quickly while also creating a police report that can serve as evidence.
• Take photos of damages and injuries sustained. If possible, give details to the police regarding the vehicle that fled.
• Notify your insurance company. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, this could be your primary way of collecting compensation.
• Consult a personal injury attorney who can assist in dealing with insurance providers and initiating legal proceedings on your behalf.

Hit-and-run accidents are among the most stressful experiences. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney may provide much-needed assistance during this difficult process. Contact us today at 816-221-0382 or send us an email on our Contact Page. Serving Kansas City, MO and KS as well as surrounding areas of Benton County and St. Louis.

Summary

Personal injury law allows victims of hit-and-run to pursue compensation for hospital bills, medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Hit-and-run is a type of accident where a driver involved leaves the scene without providing identification or without helping the injured. Even if the driver left, victims can still claim using their uninsured motorist coverage or other legal options. It is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident. This can hold drivers who are at-fault liable to civil and criminal offense, with serious penalties, including long-term imprisonment.  

After an accident, injured victims must immediately contact the authorities and report the incident. It is crucial to prioritize getting a medical examination and securing a report. Lastly, it is also essential to contact a personal injury attorney urgently. 

To help the hit-and-run victims and ensure fair treatment through the process, personal injury lawyers do the following:

• investigate the accident and collect evidence (ex. from CCTV footage, witness statements, police reports, etc.)
• work with authorities to identify the fleeing driver
• prepare and present all the necessary documents
• assist victims in filing insurance claims 
• represent the victims in court (if the case is pursued at court)
• negotiate with the insurance companies for settlements, etc.

There are several challenges to hit-and-run accidents. These are:

• difficulty in locating the driver
• insufficient evidence (ex. no physical proof linking the driver, no CCTV footage, etc.)
• delayed police reports 
• lack of witnesses 
• limited insurance coverage
• denial of insurance
• emotional or psychological issues affecting the legal process
• legal complexities
• slow justice process, etc.