Imagine this: you are waiting for the light to turn green at an intersection when another motorist rear-ends your vehicle. You suffer whiplash and feel a surge of adrenaline. Before you have the chance to open your door and assess the damage to your vehicle or seek medical attention, the driver speeds away. You have just become the victim of a hit and run auto collision.
Now you’re worried about future medical bills and whether or not your insurance company will pay for a hit and run car accident. You might be wondering what you should do after you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident.
Hit and runs are frustrating, and they account for nearly 30% of all motor vehicle accidents in the Chicagoland area. But an experienced hit and run accident lawyer in Chicago can navigate the settlement process and make sure you collect financial compensation for your damages.
Hit and run accidents can leave you with serious injuries like spinal cord injuries or a traumatic brain injury which can leave you with mountains of medical bills and possibly needing medical attention and care long after the accident occurred. Auto accident attorneys familiar with Illinois law and experienced in helping hit and run victims can help you make sure the hit and run driver is held accountable for their negligence and negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you both need and deserve.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC for a free consultation today.
We Can Help You Understand Illinois Hit and Run Laws
The Illinois General Assembly’s compiled statutes state that if there is property damage but no bodily harm after a motor vehicle accident, hit and run drivers still must stop. Both drivers are required to exchange contact and automotive insurance information following a hit and run.
In Illinois, fleeing the scene of an accident without injury is a Class A misdemeanor, and often leads to jail time, the driver’s license suspension, and fines. If a negligent driver leaves the scene of the accident after injuring another person, they can be charged with a hit and run felony.
If a loved one has been killed in a hit and run accident, auto accident attorneys can file a wrongful death claims on behalf of the deceased.
Understanding the different Illinois laws for hit and run accidents is overwhelming, especially after a traumatic vehicle crash. Our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers will represent you throughout the litigation process. We hold liable drivers accountable so that you can receive justice for your injuries.
Chicago Hit and Run Accident Lawyers Help You Recover Damages
A hit and run accident can cause physical, emotional, financial, and property damages. As a result, you have a legal right to sue the liable other driver for compensation to recoup your losses.
Our hit and run accident attorneys in Chicago help victims of hit and run accidents receive fair compensation for their damages after a collision.
The damages we fight for in a hit and run claim include:
- Medical expenses: This includes paying for prescription drugs, hospital bills, and physical therapy costs.
- Lost wages: Recovery to make up for time off work due to accident injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for emotional distress resulting from the crash.
- Punitive damages: Financial payouts designed to punish the defendant for reckless behavior and prevent future misconduct.
Get Help and Hold the Hit and Run Driver Responsible
Uninsured drivers or a close-fisted insurance company can make filing, negotiating, and receiving financial recovery difficult. But when you have one of our qualified hit and run car accident attorneys on your side, we make sure you receive maximum compensation for your damages. Call for a free consultation today.
What Our Chicago Hit and Run Attorneys Do for Victims
Our Chicago hit and run accident attorneys use our network of professional investigators, forensic experts, and medical witnesses to:
- Identify and track down the guilty party
- Establish causation for the collision
- Recount the events of the accident to a jury
- Calculate a fair settlement based on damages
Proven Successful Track Record
With decades of experience serving the Chicago region, we are the legal representatives who never stop fighting for our clients. Our case results speak for themselves, and we have helped thousands of injured victims and recovered millions of dollars.
Common Reasons for Hit and Run Accidents in Chicago
While on the road, all drivers must adhere to a standard duty of care. This means they must operate their vehicle similar to how a reasonable person would. Reckless, aggressive, distracted, and drunk driving are negligent behaviors that cause motor vehicle accidents.
In most cases we handle, the at-fault driver involved flees the accident scene because they are hiding something. They know the crash was their fault, and they want to avoid facing penalties. For example, a person driving under the influence will leave the accident scene to avoid a DUI charge.
Another reason a hit and run driver will leave the accident is due to a lack of driving credentials. An unlicensed, underinsured, uninsured motorist will want to avoid further legal problems and, therefore, attempt to escape before the authorities arrive.
What to Do in a Hit and Run Crash
There are approximately 682,000 hit and run accidents every year across America. While most hit and run crashes are minor, some can leave you with life-long injuries.
Hit and run collisions can be difficult to investigate. But, there are several steps you can take to help investigators find the guilty party and hold them accountable for their recklessness.
Call 911
Call 911 (or an alternative number for emergency services) right away. Medical help will arrive quickly at the scene of an accident to provide any necessary assistance to the injured parties.
Once the police arrive, they will start the investigation process. They may send officers to look for the vehicle or alert others to keep an eye out for a vehicle with similar damages. Police will also consult with neighboring businesses and homeowners to check for security footage of the accident.
Look for Witnesses
Police officers will interview witnesses to gather more evidence on the missing driver’s identity. Any witness statements will get filed in the official police report. Our lawyers use witness accounts to build a strong case to show the fault of the other driver and present the reports as evidence during a trial.
Take Photos
If you can, take a photo of the vehicle before it drives away. Even a blurry image can help pinpoint the hit and run driver’s identity.
Continue documenting the accident scene as thoroughly as possible. Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of your vehicle, the area where the crash occurred, and any other factors you think might be important later.
Partner with an Accident Attorney
Once your injuries are taken care of, contact a Chicago hit and run accident attorney to review your case. An experienced lawyer will help you determine the next steps to take to ensure you find the driver responsible for your damages and hold them accountable. An attorney client relationship with a lawyer from The Kryder Law Group, LLC could be the key to you getting the compensation you deserve.
Let a Qualified Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Chicago Represent You
Working with an attorney can make the aftermath of a hit and run accident much easier to deal with. At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced attorneys help you deal with the investigation, interpret police reports, and, if necessary, represent you in court.
If it turns out the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, we can also help you navigate your uninsured motorist coverage and help you file an uninsured motorist claim. One way or another we will help you get any compensation possible to help you recover your losses.
Free Consultation
If you are suffering due to another driver’s reckless behavior, don’t wait to file a claim. Get started with a free case evaluation from one of our Chicago hit and run accident lawyers now. We are ready to help you every step of the way from filing a claim, dealing with an insurance company, determining your uninsured motorist coverage and filing an uninsured motorist claim, to representing you in court if necessary. Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC today.
What You Get from Your Free Case Evaluation
When you are injured in a hit and run accident, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you are going to be able to get the compensation you deserve. That’s where one of our experienced Chicago car crash lawyers comes in. They will take care of all the legal paperwork and negotiations for you, so that you can focus on getting better. In order to make sure that you are choosing the best car accident lawyer for your needs, it is important to understand what they can offer you in a free consultation.
Below are some of the things that you can expect to receive from a Chicago, Illinois hit and run accident attorney during your free consultation to discuss your motor vehicle accident resulting in serious injuries:
- An evaluation of your case and an identification of the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries or property damage
- Evaluation of the strength or weakness of your car accident claim
- An estimate of how long the car accident case will take to complete
- Answers to any questions you may have about car accident claims, what you should or shouldn’t say to your insurance company, or car accidents in general
There are no obligations. There are no costs. Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers now to find out what the value of your car accident case may be.
(312) 223-1700