Recovering Compensation after a Hit and Run

Being injured because another driver didn't take their responsibility for the safety of others seriously enough is difficult, but if the driver simply speeds away, the situation is that much more challenging. You are not only injured as a result of someone else’s negligence but may also have serious concerns about where the compensation you need to recover will come from. If this is the difficult position you find yourself in, turn to a savvy Columbia car accident attorney with considerable experience successfully handling complicated hit-and-run claims like yours today.

Hit and Runs Are on the Rise

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares that while total vehicle miles decreased by 11 percent in 2020, fatal hit-and-run accidents increased by 26 percent. In other words, the risk of being injured by a driver who flees the scene is all too real. Motorists often speed away from accidents in attempts to hide the fact that they were impaired, to begin with. NHTSA further reports that drunk driving fatalities rose by 14 percent in 2020, and the two statistics in combination pack a serious punch.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

If you’re concerned about how you’re going to cover your losses after an at-fault motorist vanishes, you are not alone. In South Carolina, however, every driver is required to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM) coverage along with their liability insurance. When the at-fault motorist is unable to be found, your UM insurance will kick in for losses in the following categories:

● Your medical expenses

● Property damage to your vehicle and its contents

● Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering and emotional stress

● Ongoing accident-related expenses

Personal Injury Protection

In South Carolina, your car insurance provider is required to offer you personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that you must officially reject in writing in order to bypass. PIP covers your medical costs regardless of who is at fault, which means the fact that the at-fault driver is AWOL will have no bearing on your claim. Your own PIP policy should begin covering your out-of-pocket medical expenses prior to your UM claim being settled.

Obtaining the Compensation to Which You Are Entitled

Even with both UM and PIP coverage, obtaining the compensation you need to regain your health and well-being can be a challenge. Insurance companies are in the practice of keeping settlements low, which makes having a dedicated car accident attorney in your corner from the outset in the best interest of your claim and your recovery.

Reach Out to an Experienced Columbia, SC, Car Accident Attorney Today

Andrew Littlejohn Johnson at Littlejohn Law – proudly serving Columbia in Richland County along with Allendale, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Hampton, South Carolina – is a practiced car accident attorney who is well prepared to galvanize his impressive experience and legal skill in pursuit of your claim’s best possible resolution. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t delay contacting or calling us at 803-764-4099 for more information today.