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Hit and run victims are often left injured, shaken, and unsure where to turn. A Bessemer City car accident lawyer can help you file a claim and recover compensation.
North Carolina law takes hit and run accidents seriously, but that does not mean the legal process is easy for victims. A Bessemer City hit and run accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can guide you through that process and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
How a Bessemer City Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you were injured in a hit-and-run, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. A hit and run accident lawyer in Bessemer City can help by:
- Investigating the crash: A Bessemer City personal injury lawyer can review police reports, interview witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, and work with accident reconstruction experts to identify the other driver.
- Evaluating damages: An attorney can calculate the full extent of your losses, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
- Deal with insurance companies: A lawyer can handle conversations with insurers, push back against unfair denials, and work to maximize your uninsured motorist benefits.
- Providing representation: If necessary, an attorney can represent you in court and argue your case before a judge or jury.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Time matters after a hit and run accident. North Carolina generally allows three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, insurance claims often have much shorter deadlines, and waiting too long can weaken your case.
After a car accident, evidence fades quickly. Surveillance footage may be erased, witnesses become harder to locate, and memories change. A North Carolina car accident lawyer can help collect important evidence before it disappears.
Challenges Unique to Hit and Run Claims
Hit and run cases are often more complicated than standard car accident claims. Without a known at-fault driver, insurers may question how the accident happened, whether another vehicle was truly involved, or whether your injuries were caused by something else.
North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule adds another layer of difficulty. If an insurer argues that you were even slightly at fault, they may attempt to deny the claim entirely. This is why it’s critical to work with a hit and run accident attorney in Bessemer City.
What Constitutes a Hit and Run in North Carolina?
A hit and run occurs when a driver is involved in a crash and fails to stop, provide information, or render aid as required by law. In North Carolina, drivers must remain at the scene of an accident involving injury, death, or property damage. Leaving without doing so is a criminal offense, and the penalties increase significantly when someone is hurt or killed.
Hit and run accidents in Bessemer City can involve many situations, including crashes at intersections, sideswipes on two-lane roads, parking lot collisions, or pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
What Types of Injuries Do Hit and Run Accidents Cause?
Hit and run crashes tend to cause serious injuries because they often involve high speeds or vulnerable road users. Pedestrians and cyclists are especially at risk, but drivers and passengers can also suffer life-altering harm.
Common injuries include head and brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ injuries, severe lacerations, and soft tissue injuries that worsen over time. Beyond the physical harm, many victims experience anxiety, sleep problems, and ongoing fear related to driving or walking near traffic.
What Happens If the Other Driver is Never Found?
One of the biggest concerns victims have is whether they can recover compensation when the at-fault driver disappears. In many cases, the answer is yes. North Carolina drivers are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which is designed to step in when a negligent driver cannot be identified or lacks insurance.
Uninsured motorist coverage may help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, insurance companies do not automatically pay the full value of a claim. Disputes over fault, injury severity, and coverage limits are common, even when the accident was clearly a hit and run.
Common Reasons Drivers Flee the Scene
Drivers leave crash scenes for many reasons, none of which excuse their behavior. Some of the most common reasons include fear of arrest, lack of insurance, driving under the influence, or outstanding warrants. Others panic and make a reckless decision in the moment.
For victims, the reason does not matter nearly as much as the outcome. The injuries, vehicle damage, and emotional toll are real, regardless of why the other driver ran. Unfortunately, when a driver disappears, the burden often shifts to the injured person to figure out what to do next.
Contact a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Bessemer City
If you were injured in a hit and run accident in Bessemer City, you need representation. A Bessemer City hit and run accident attorney from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can take on your case, investigate the crash, and help you obtain compensation for your losses.
Schedule a free case review to take the first step toward justice.
