A hit-and-run accident is one of the worst kinds of car accidents we encounter in our practice. This is where a driver bolts after hitting a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another driver in the hopes of evading any criminal or civil penalties.
There was a hit-and-run accident in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) where a drunk driver hit and seriously injured an elderly woman on Honeygrove Road. The elderly woman suffered cracked ribs, bruised lungs, broken legs, and broken ankles, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may find yourself wondering how you are ever going to be able to get compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. Take a moment to review this article about hit-and-run accidents and what you need to do to start the personal injury claims process:
Hit-and-run insurance claims information
If the at-fault driver is never found, you will need to file a claim for uninsured motorist coverage (commonly known at “UM” insurance). It’s kind of a weird process, but essentially you file a claim against your own insurance and they act as the de facto defense of the driver. You then get compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If the at-fault driver is eventually found, you will be able to file a claim against their insurance (if they have any insurance to begin with). If it turns out the driver was drunk or distracted, you can also pursue “punitive damages” which is an additional monetary award provided to you that is meant to make an example of the reckless behavior of the at-fault driver.
If you have additional questions, check out our FAQ library about what to do if you were in a car wreck.
JM