After getting in an auto accident, you are required by law to remain at the crash scene until you have rendered aid, exchanged contact and insurance information, and been released by responding police officers—unless you need medical attention. Failing to do any of these things is a criminal offense that could result in steep fines and even jail time, on top of any civil liability for the wreck.
Unfortunately, someone committing a “hit and run” like this makes the already complex process of seeking civil recovery for car crash injuries even more challenging, especially if police are unable to track down the law-breaking driver. Whether you are able to identify who caused a hit and run accident in Merrillville or not, assistance from an experienced auto accident attorney could be vital to getting the most money possible for your damages.
Are Hit and Run Drivers Always at Fault?
One very important thing to understand about hit and run car crashes in Merrillville is that any criminal charges pursued against someone over a hit and run will have no effect on civil litigation for the same incident. This means that while civil courts generally will not look favorably on people who unlawfully flee the scene of an auto accident, they also will not assume the driver was the one who caused the accident.
Instead, the injured party seeking civil compensation will need to prove the defendant directly caused the wreck—and their ensuing injuries and losses—through a specific reckless or careless act they committed prior to fleeing the scene. This could be something overtly illegal like a traffic violation or drunk driving, or simply a careless lapse in concentration at the wrong moment.
Recovery Options If a Hit and Run Driver Cannot Be Found
While law enforcement authorities in Merrillville have access to numerous resources to quickly identify and press charges against hit and run drivers, they are not foolproof. As upsetting as it undoubtedly is, this means hit and run drivers sometimes get away with their crimes. Since Indiana is a fault state when it comes to car accident claims, someone injured through the hit and run driver’s negligence would have no liability insurance policy to file a claim against.
In situations like this, supplementary insurance policies like “uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage” can be irreplaceable sources of financial support. A skilled vehicle accident lawyer could help make the most of all available insurance benefits in the wake of a hit and run wreck.
A Merrillville Attorney Could Help After a Hit and Run Accident
No one deserves to get injured in a car crash caused by someone else’s bad driving, especially not a crash in which the person at fault illegally flees the scene. Unfortunately, this exact scenario plays out more often than you might like to think, and you may have slim chances of getting the compensation you need after this sort of incident without support from experienced legal counsel.
At the Law Offices of David W. Holub, we know how frustrating hit and run accidents in Merrillville can be. The attorneys at our firm have years of experience helping people just like you get the restitution they deserve. Call today to learn how a seasoned lawyer from our team could assist you.