Hit-and-run crashes can leave victims facing serious injuries, lost income, costly repairs, and mounting medical bills with no sure place to turn. It’s important to understand that you still have rights even if you can’t find the person who hit you. However, you will need a skilled attorney to protect those rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve after a hit-and-run car accident.
The experienced Madison hit-and-run accident lawyers at LawtonCates stand ready to fight for the accountability you deserve when an irresponsible driver turns your life upside down. Contact us today to learn more.
What is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene without providing identification or offering help. A case without an identified at-fault party presents unique challenges, but skilled Madison car accident lawyers can help you find answers and seek compensation.
Hit-and-run accidents take many forms, including:
- Vehicle-to-vehicle collisions
- Pedestrian or bicycle impacts
- Property damage crashes
Each of these situations can cause significant distress, be it physical, emotional, or financial. Our Madison hit-and-run accident lawyers can lead you through the process of seeking identification and pursuing a hit-and-run injury claim.
Legal Rights of Victims in Madison
Hit-and-run victims in Madison hold several important rights. You maintain these rights even if law enforcement has not yet located the driver. Those rights include:
- The Right to File an Insurance Claim – Wisconsin law requires all auto insurance policies to provide uninsured motorist coverage. You can pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage when the at-fault driver flees.
- The Right to Pursue a Civil Lawsuit – If law enforcement identifies the responsible driver, you have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation from them.
- The Right to Full Compensation – You can demand compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional harm, and future expenses.
- The Right to Legal Representation – You can protect your rights by hiring an attorney who can lead you through the legal process and seek hit-and-run compensation on your behalf.
Why Hiring a Madison Hit-and-Run Lawyer Matters
Hit-and-run cases present unique legal challenges. While typical claims have a known liable party, hit-and-runs do not, meaning they require more creative strategy and investigation to determine a path to compensation. A skilled lawyer can help you pursue all potential avenues for seeking justice.
Our Madison hit-and-run car accident attorneys can help by:
- Reviewing Your Case for Free – Our lawyers can speak with you about your case, examine any evidence you may have, and inform you of your legal options, free of charge.
- Investigating Right Away – Time matters in auto accident cases. We seek police reports, accident scene photos, witness statements, and surveillance footage before this critical evidence disappears.
- Calculating Compensation – We assess the full value of your car accident claim, including projecting future expenses, so that you don’t leave any of your rightful payout on the table.
- Dealing with Insurers – Even in hit-and-run cases, insurers will still attempt to weaken your claim and minimize your payout. We protect your rights by handling all communications with them.
- Negotiating and Litigating – We advocate aggressively for your best interests at the negotiating table. If insurance companies won’t offer the settlement you deserve, our experienced trial attorneys will take your claim to court and fight for a favorable verdict.
How a Lawyer Builds Your Case
When you seek hit-and-run legal help from LawtonCates, you can expect the following process:
Investigating the Crash
We launch an immediate investigation into the accident to determine what evidence might be available for identifying the driver and proving your claim. This can include reviewing police reports, visiting the accident scene, analyzing vehicle damage, and consulting accident reconstruction specialists.
Identifying the Driver When Possible
The driver may have fled, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they can evade justice forever. We work closely with law enforcement and use our investigative resources to track down the responsible party whenever possible.
Documenting Your Injuries
To recover hit-and-run compensation, you must provide evidence connecting your injuries to the accident and showing their impact on your daily life and finances. To do this, we gather medical records, consult with doctors, and conduct interviews with friends and family.
Calculating Compensation
We consider every loss, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning ability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Common Challenges in Hit-and-Run Cases
Hit-and-run claims often involve obstacles that make the process more complicated than an average motor vehicle accident claim. Some of those obstacles include:
- The Missing Driver – When the responsible party flees, you must rely on your uninsured motorist coverage until the driver is located.
- Limited Evidence – Without the other driver to provide details, these cases rely heavily on limited physical evidence and eyewitness memories that can fade quickly.
- Insurance Complications – Insurance companies frequently attempt to deny or undervalue uninsured motorist claims.
The team at LawtonCates understands the challenges posed by hit-and-run injury cases, and we know how to overcome them. We act quickly to gather evidence and prevent insurance companies from disputing your claim.
Choosing the Right Lawyer in Madison
The hit-and-run legal help you receive can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Look for the following in an attorney:
- Extensive experience in hit-and-run cases
- A strong track record of substantial settlements and verdicts
- Clear communication and responsiveness
- A compassionate, empathetic approach
- A team that prepares every case as if it’s going to trial
Contact Our Madison Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers for Help
If you’ve suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident, you don’t have to face the fallout alone. The team at LawtonCates can assess your case to determine your legal options and then fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.