Greensboro Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
In North Carolina, drivers must pull over and contact the police after a car accident involving injuries or death (N.C.G.S. 20-166). However, many people disobey North Carolina’s hit-and-run laws and flee the accident scene after causing crashes.
If a hit-and-run driver has injured you, you likely have questions about financial accountability for your medical bills and what to do after a hit-and-run accident. If the hit-and-run driver remains unidentified, you may wonder how you can seek compensation for the harm the at-fault driver caused you.
A hit-and-run accident lawyer at Ward Black Law has answers to your questions. Our legal team can help you pursue compensation for the harm caused by a hit-and-run driver through your auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage and by exploring alternative options. You shouldn’t be left to deal with the consequences of someone else’s irresponsible behavior.
Contact Ward Black Law to speak to a hit-and-run lawyer in Greensboro. Our law firm offers a free consultation to review your legal options. Let us work hard to make things right.
Why You Should Get Help from Ward Black Law After a Hit-and-Run Crash
Ward Black Law has recovered over $150 million for personal injury clients in our 30+ years of representing accident victims and their families. Injury victims need a strong advocate who will stand up for them and fight for just financial compensation. We are proud to have assisted many hard-working North Carolinians. Here is what one satisfied client had to say about the service they received:
“Ward Black Law has always been professional, timely, and very nice to me. I was a little nervous to contact attorneys but I’m so glad I did now because they really make you feel comfortable. Thanks Gabe and Emily for some insight into my situation.” – Nicole
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Greensboro
After a hit-and-run accident, the most important thing is to avoid panicking. Check yourself for injuries and contact law enforcement authorities to report the accident. Request an ambulance if you are injured. If you are able, start documenting the crash scene. Take pictures of any vehicle damage and your injuries. Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses. Cooperate with the police and ask them how to get a copy of the official accident report and incident number.
Please keep all follow-up medical appointments if you received treatment at the emergency room or were hospitalized. You will need medical records to prove your injuries and associated medical costs. Once your condition is stable, you should contact a hit-and-run attorney. An experienced car accident lawyer can walk you through the next steps in the claims process and discuss how North Carolina hit-and-run laws apply to your accident. An attorney can deal with insurance companies on your behalf and prevent insurers from taking advantage of you.
Seeking Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Crash
The primary option to recover financial compensation after a hit-and-run crash is your auto policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage is mandatory in North Carolina. Your standard auto policy should include liability and uninsured motorist coverage (N.C.G.S. 20-279.21). UM coverage will pay for your medical expenses if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or remains unidentified.
Filing a UM claim is similar to pursuing a liability claim. But you are filing a claim against your insurance provider. You will open a claim and provide evidence. Your insurance company then decides whether to accept the claim and offer a settlement. A knowledgeable hit-and-run lawyer can handle negotiations with the insurance company.
If the hit-and-run driver is later identified, you may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance if they have coverage. If you received compensation from the at-fault driver, your UM insurance provider might seek to recover the cost of any compensation it had given you.
Why You Need Our Lawyers to Handle Your UM Claim
Uninsured motorist claims run through your insurance provider. Insurance companies often dispute injury claims, including UM claims filed by their own policyholders. The company might dispute the severity of your injuries or try to shift the blame to avoid paying a claim.
A hit-and-run accident attorney can deal with your insurance company on your behalf, pushing back against tactics to minimize or dismiss your claim. Our hit-and-run accident lawyers at Ward Black Law are experienced negotiators and are familiar with insurers’ tactics to avoid compensating hit-and-run victims.
Recoverable Damages in Hit-and-Run Claims
Uninsured motorist insurance will cover any bodily injury-related losses from a hit-and-run accident, including:
- Medical bills and continuing medical expenses
- Lost work income and other forms of employment compensation
- Diminished lifetime earning capacity from disability
- Injury-related pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
Remember, your UM policy has coverage limits. Your insurer will not pay beyond those limits. An experienced attorney can determine the extent of your coverage and identify any other sources of compensation that may be available to you.
Legal Consequences for Hit-and-Run Drivers in North Carolina
Running from the scene of an accident is a crime in North Carolina and can carry fines and jail time. Charges can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on whether the crash causes injury or death. Fleeing after an accident causing death or injury can be charged as a Class F or Class H felony, which can carry maximum prison sentences upon conviction.
Leaving the scene after an accident involving only property damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 120 days in prison. Additionally, refusing to exchange insurance and contact information after an accident is a separate crime punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The police may file criminal charges against a driver who flees the scene after causing a serious accident involving severe injuries or death. But a conviction will not provide compensation to you. You would need to file a separate civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver to seek fair compensation or file a claim against your own insurance.
How Our Greensboro Hit and Run Accident Lawyers Can Help
Any auto accident involving injuries is a serious matter. Hit-and-run accidents are especially challenging from a legal perspective. Ward Black Law has extensive experience handling hit-and-run accident claims and can provide effective advocacy. We are known for our detailed approach to developing cases. Our attorneys will assess your claim from every angle to seek maximum compensation for you.
Seek legal advice about your car accident. Contact our law office online or call today for a free claim review from a hit-and-run accident lawyer in Greensboro. Let our award-winning attorneys for the seriously injured pursue justice on your behalf.
