Posted on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Hit-and-run accidents are a serious problem. If your vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run accident that was not your fault, the sooner you contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP to help track down the driver, the greater the potential we will be able to hold a driver liable for the damage to you and your property.
A hit-and-run accident is defined as one vehicle involved in an accident with a pedestrian, bicycle, another vehicle, or a fixed object, after which the driver leaves the scene without identifying themselves or assisting the other party.
The penalties for hit-and-run in Alabama are significant. If an individual is injured or dies, it’s a class C felony with a possible fine of up to $15,000 and a minimum of one year in jail. Damage to property and striking an unattended vehicle is a class A misdemeanor with a potential fine of up to $6,000 and maximum imprisonment of one year.
What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Pedestrians and bicycle riders are even more vulnerable.
There are many reasons why drivers will flee the scene of an accident, many of which would increase the penalty they face after an accident. These include:
- Intoxicated
- Uninsured
- Outstanding tickets
- Driving on a suspended license or no license
- Stolen vehicle
- Transporting illegal goods
- Driving a company vehicle
The more information you have about the accident, the greater the chances that the police or your legal team will catch the driver who hit you. Look for possible witnesses to the accident. Even if your car was unattended, you may find people in the parking lot who saw the accident happen. Get their names and contact information, as well as anything they saw.
Before leaving the scene, write down the time and the location where the accident happened. Take pictures of the accident scene and of your vehicle. If the other car’s paint is visible on your vehicle, take pictures of that as well.
Although you may be tempted to chase down a car that hits you and flees, this can cause reckless driving and cause you to get into another accident. It’s better to call the police as soon as possible and file an accident report. Include all the information that you gathered at the time of the accident.
Steps Your Legal Team Takes to Track a Hit-and-Run Driver
We’ll help track down your hit and run driver.
Car accidents can be incredibly stressful. In addition to dealing with property damage and painful injuries, you now have to consider how to find the hit-and-run driver who was responsible.
The legal team at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP has resources at our disposal to help find Alabama hit-and-run drivers. If you were injured in the accident, the police are more likely to get actively involved. The more information you can provide them, the greater the potential that they will actively look for the driver.
Contact our legal team- we will speak to witnesses that were on the scene. This includes business owners and employees or homeowners who were located nearby when the hit-and-run accident happened. Depending on the area where the accident happened, there may be surveillance video available from ATM machines, local businesses, or homeowners with security cameras.
Social media is another avenue that can be used to track down individuals who fled the scene after a car accident. Using these sources, as well as accident reconstruction, increases the potential for success that we will find a hit-and-run driver and be able to hold them accountable for their actions.
If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, collision insurance, or comprehensive coverage, you may be able to secure compensation from your insurance company. If you do not have this coverage, your insurance company may not accept the damage claim.
Contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Today for Help After a Hit-and-Run Accident
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident that was not your fault, contact the Birmingham car accident lawyers of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP today. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys understand that every car accident has a unique story, and we are ready to hear yours.
Filing an insurance claim or tracking down a hit-and-run driver takes time and energy. We believe that you should spend your time and energy recovering from your injuries and leave the work to us.
Our legal team will give you personalized attention from the start to the finish of your case. We will advocate for your rights and work aggressively to seek the justice and compensation that you deserve. Call our office today at (205) 324-1212 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
