While you can get compensation after a hit and run accident, the process isn’t always as straightforward. Getting compensation isn’t guaranteed, even if you identify and sue the negligent driver, and our lawyers can help make sure you get the damages you need.
To get compensation after a hit and run, document the scene as best as you can and get the appropriate medical attention. You should also call the police, as hit and runs are illegal. While your uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may cover some damages, you can seek full compensation after we identify the at-fault driver and file a strong lawsuit against them.
For a free and confidential case review from our Columbia, SC car accident lawyers, call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers now at (803) 451-4000.
Can You Get Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident in South Carolina?
South Carolina is an at-fault state for car accidents, meaning the driver who caused the collision is responsible for covering the victim’s damages. If the driver flees to avoid this responsibility, you may be understandably concerned about how you will get compensation.
You can get compensation in several ways after a hit and run in South Carolina. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help somewhat, though mandatory minimums often aren’t enough to cover all damages from an accident.
You may also get compensation from the at-fault driver, even if you don’t yet know their identity. By interviewing eyewitnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and communicating with law enforcement, our attorneys can identify the liable party and hold them accountable.
What Must You Do to Get Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident?
There are key steps to take immediately after a hit and run at the scene, soon after at the hospital, and in the following days and weeks regarding your insurance and the police.
At the Scene
While you are still at the scene, document everything as best as you can. You can take pictures with your phone, call 911 so the police respond to the scene, and get the contact information for any eyewitnesses. All of this helps us build a future compensation claim.
Even after a hit and run, you should be careful about the statements you make to the police so you don’t mistakenly accept fault.
At the Hospital
If paramedics take you to the hospital, get whatever emergency medical treatment doctors deem necessary. Don’t leave the hospital prematurely. We can help obtain and use medical records and hospital bills from your initial stay to prove why you deserve compensation and how much you are entitled to for medical expenses.
Regarding Your Insurance
Filing a claim with your UM/UIM motorist coverage after a hit and run can yield compensation if the at-fault driver is not identified. Collision coverage can help pay for property damage after a hit and run, too. Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in South Carolina; collision coverage is not.
Even your own insurance doesn’t necessarily want to pay the full value of your policy and might deny the claim if you mistakenly accept fault, even for a hit and run. Our South Carolina car accident lawyers can handle communicating with your insurer so that doesn’t happen.
Regarding the Police
Fleeing an accident scene without exchanging information or rendering aid is illegal in South Carolina, so the police have an incentive to help us find the at-fault driver. We can stay in contact with the agency investigating your hit and run while performing our own investigation into the negligent driver.
We can also obtain and review the police report to learn more about the collision, such as where it occurred, who witnessed it, whether paramedics responded, and the approximate damage.
FAQs About Getting Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident in South Carolina
How Long Do You Have to Get Compensation from a Lawsuit After a Hit and Run?
As a personal injury plaintiff in South Carolina, you have three years to get compensation from a lawsuit. Three years is not as long as it seems, especially if you have to identify the liable party, so waste no time initiating your case.
What Evidence Do You Need to Get Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident?
To recover compensation on your behalf after a hit and run, our lawyers may use the following as evidence:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert witness testimony
- Photos
- Videos
- Accident reconstruction
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Income records
What Economic Damages Can You Seek Compensation for After a Hit and Run in South Carolina
You can get compensation for all economic damages after a hit and run, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage costs, and other incurred tangible damages.
What Non-Economic Damages Can You Seek Compensation for After a Hit and Run?
You can also get compensation for non-economic damages after a hit and run in South Carolina, which we can help you quantify after learning more about your pain and suffering from a collision.
Can You Get More Compensation by Taking a Hit and Run Accident Lawsuit to Trial?
Jury awards are sometimes larger than out-of-court settlements, though settling a case can yield fair compensation through aggressive negotiations.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Hit and Run in South Carolina?
You can get compensation for all damages from a hit and run when we identify the at-fault driver, as South Carolina doesn’t limit plaintiffs’ recoveries in personal injury cases. Plaintiffs must prove damages to recover them, which we can do using your testimony, bills, and income records.
Do You Need an Attorney to Get Compensation for a Hit and Run?
Without our lawyers, you may be unable to identify the driver in a hit and run. You might also struggle to get enough compensation from your UM/UIM motorist coverage. Not having a lawyer also puts you at risk of missing the statute of limitations, especially if you don’t have the negligent driver’s information upon leaving the scene.
Call Our Lawyers in South Carolina for Help Now
For a free case review from our Cayce, SC car accident lawyers, call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers now at (803) 451-4000.
