A hit and run driver leaves the scene of an accident. That doesn’t have to mean you have to deal with the consequences on your own. Contact The Pendleton Law Team. Our car accident lawyer serves Virginia Beach clients who need professional advice and strong representation.
Established in 2011, our law firm is big enough to make a difference and small enough to care. Our hit and run accident lawyer serving Virginia Beach will explore your options and help you find the best solution available to you.
Seeking Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident in Virginia Beach
If a driver injured you in an accident they caused and then left the scene, you will not know their identity. The police may still be able to track them down. In that case, you can hope that they have insurance or assets that allow you to claim compensation from an at-fault hit and run driver.
Unfortunately, a hit and run driver may remain unidentified. If so, you will have to determine what your own insurance provides for in this contingency. A hit and run accident attorney serving Virginia Beach can help you by examining your insurance policies and determining the extent of your coverage.
Beyond that, we can help by keeping your insurance claims on track, negotiating with your insurance company, or litigating to secure the maximum settlement available to you. This will be particularly important if you are seriously injured and may be eligible for a high-value insurance claim.
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Your Options When a Pedestrian or Cyclist is the Injured Party in a Hit and Run Accident
If a hit and run driver injured you or someone close to you as a pedestrian or cyclist, and the at-fault driver cannot be identified, your uninsured motorist coverage may still be relevant. Other insurance options to consider may include:
- Health insurance
- Medical Payments (MedPay) insurance
- Optional Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance
- Disability insurance (if the accident leads to disability)
While we share your desire to hold the at-fault driver accountable, it is not always possible to do so. Our Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer will always seek solutions. Consult us to discover what these may be in your particular circumstances.
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How a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Representing Clients in Virginia Beach May Help Identify the Offending Driver
Our investigative resources contribute to positive outcomes in many of the accident cases we handle. In hit and run cases, we deploy them to collaborate with the police, searching for evidence they can use to identify the culprit. For example, we may find previously overlooked surveillance footage or identify witnesses who have not yet come forward.
Acting quickly improves our chances of success. For example, we may discover CCTV footage and preserve it before it is deleted. We encourage you to contact us as soon after your accident as possible. Although we cannot guarantee that we will find the hit and run driver who caused your injuries, we will do everything in our power to do so.
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What The Pendleton Law Team Does For You If You Must Claim From Your Own Insurance
Despite our best efforts, you may have to claim compensation from your own insurance company after a hit and run accident. This applies to unidentified drivers as well as those who are identified but are uninsured or underinsured. In accordance with Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2206, your car insurance provides for uninsured motorist coverage. Depending on your policy, it may compensate you for:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
A claim such as this is complex, and you cannot assume that your insurance company will automatically offer you the full amount that may be due to you. As with claims against an at-fault driver, achieving a fair settlement requires diligence and effective negotiation skills. Your hit and run accident lawyer serving Virginia Beach can represent you throughout.
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Hit and Run Drivers and Virginia Law
A hit and run driver is guilty of breaking Virginia law. This is captured in Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-894, which requires any driver involved in an accident to stop, render assistance if anyone is injured, and provide their contact details.
Leaving the scene of an accident after someone has been injured or property damage is valued at more than $1,000 is a Class 5 felony. When an accident causes property damage valued at less than $1,000, and no one is injured, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The fact that a hit and run driver broke the law by leaving the scene does not mean they are automatically considered at fault. If they are identified and you wish to claim compensation, your attorney would still have to show that you were not to blame for the accident.
Challenges in Handling Virginia Beach Hit and Run Cases
It’s clear that identifying a hit and run driver represents a challenge, but even if this is possible, there are many additional complexities to deal with. Unless police have identified the driver, the process is similar to what to do if you were hit by an uninsured driver. Either way, your attorney must navigate challenges that include:
- Showing the accident occurred as reported
- Countering unfair blame-shifting
- Complying with stringent insurance claim deadlines
- Meeting procedural requirements
- Handling sensitive communications with insurance companies
- Negotiating a fair settlement
- If necessary, filing a lawsuit with the aim of securing a fair settlement
If we agree to work together on your hit and run accident case, we commit to clear communication, including ongoing progress updates. We will leverage our strong understanding of Virginia’s insurance landscape and our experience helping injured people gain compensation on your behalf.
Consult Us to Identify Your Options After a Hit and Run Accident
The Pendleton Law Team’s car accident lawyers handle hit and run accident cases in Virginia Beach. It’s natural to be unsure of what you should do next and uncertain about your options after being injured in a hit and run accident. We can help provide clarity and information on the best available way forward.
There’s no need to face the battles ahead without sound advice. If we believe we’re able to help you claim compensation, we are ready to represent you. Call our personal injury lawyer hotline for a free consultation.
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