After a hit and run, you may feel powerless. A Blacksburg car accident lawyer can investigate your accident and help you pursue damages.
You shouldn’t have to deal with the fallout of a crash caused by a reckless driver. A Blacksburg hit and run accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can take on your case and fight for fair compensation for your losses.
How Can a Blacksburg Hit and Run Accident Attorney Help?
If you were involved in a car accident, and the at-fault driver fled the scene, a hit and run accident lawyer in Blacksburg can review the facts of your case, explain how South Carolina law applies, and help determine the best path forward.
An attorney can also gather evidence that supports your claim, handle communications with insurance companies, and push back if those insurers try to undervalue your claim.
If the at-fault driver is identified, a lawyer can pursue a claim directly against that driver and seek compensation for your losses.
What Types of Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, compensation in this type of case may cover a variety of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
Your compensation may also address pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the long-term impact of the accident on your daily life. A Blacksburg personal injury lawyer can calculate your damages and help you put together a comprehensive claim.
Insurance Coverage in Hit and Run Cases
South Carolina requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which often applies in hit and run accidents. If the at-fault driver cannot be identified, your uninsured motorist coverage may help pay for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
However, insurance companies don’t always make the process easy. They may question whether the accident truly qualifies as a hit and run or whether your injuries are as serious as you claim. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, even when you are clearly the victim.
A hit and run accident attorney in Blacksburg can counter these allegations with irrefutable evidence.
How Police Investigate Hit and Run Accidents
In Blacksburg, law enforcement agencies use several methods to investigate hit and run crashes. Officers may canvass the area for witnesses, check nearby traffic cameras, and look for surveillance footage from businesses or homes.
Vehicle debris can sometimes be traced back to a specific make or model. In some cases, paint transfer or broken parts provide valuable clues. Tips from the public also play a role, especially in smaller communities where people recognize damaged vehicles.
Despite these efforts, not every perpetrator is found. That’s why understanding your insurance options and legal rights is so important.
Common Reasons Drivers Flee the Scene
Drivers don’t usually flee an accident for no reason. In many cases, they leave because they are trying to avoid consequences. Common reasons include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving without a valid license or insurance
- Fear of arrest due to outstanding warrants or prior offenses
- Panic (especially among inexperienced or younger drivers)
What Happens If the Other Driver Is Found?
Sometimes, hit and run drivers are identified days, weeks, or even months after the crash. When that happens, additional legal options may open up. Namely, you may be able to file a claim against the driver’s insurance policy or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Criminal charges against the driver do not automatically result in compensation for you, but they can support your civil claim. A conviction can help establish fault and strengthen your case.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in South Carolina
Per South Carolina law, you typically have three years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. Insurance claims may have much shorter notice requirements.
Waiting too long can weaken your case. Evidence can disappear, memories fade, and surveillance footage may be erased. Acting promptly protects your ability to pursue compensation.
Proving a Hit and Run Claim
To recover compensation, you generally need to show that a hit and run occurred and that your injuries and damages resulted from that crash.
Important types of evidence may include the police report documenting the incident, medical records linking your injuries to the crash, photos of the vehicle damage and accident scene, and witness statements that support your story.
In uninsured motorist claims, the burden often falls on the injured person to prove the facts of the accident, which is why it’s crucial to work with a lawyer.
Talk to a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Blacksburg
If you were the victim of a hit and run, there’s no time to waste. A Blacksburg hit and run accident attorney from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can investigate the accident, work to identify the at-fault driver, and help you exploit all available sources of compensation.
Schedule a free case review to discuss next steps.