Illinois Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer

Hit and Run Laws in Illinois

The first thing you should know is that the person who fled the scene of your accident is guilty of a crime under Illinois law. Whether the accident caused injuries or only vehicle damage, anyone involved must stop and give you their name, address, and driver’s license information and help you if you are hurt.

Failing to do that in an accident with injuries is a felony, and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage is a misdemeanor.

Those are the criminal laws. While they will not directly help you recover compensation, they can certainly help with a future lawsuit if the driver is identified. For example, if police find the hit and run driver within 12 hours of the accident, they can be subjected to chemical testing for alcohol and drugs. If they were, in fact, intoxicated when the accident happened, that would be a clear sign of negligence. And that could help you win a lawsuit against them.

Even if alcohol and drugs were not involved, leaving the scene of an accident and breaking the law are negligent behaviors. And the driver should be held accountable for such actions in civil court. A hit and run car accident lawyer in Illinois can help you understand Illinois’ hit and run laws and how they apply to your case.

Recovering Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident

Hit and run car accidents present some unique challenges. Typically, you want to know who the at-fault party is if you’re going to recover compensation for a car accident. Many hit and run victims believe that they have no options after their crashes. But you do have legal options to recover compensation after an Illinois hit and run accident.

Insurance

Even though you may not know the identity of the driver who caused your crash, you may be able to seek compensation through your auto insurance policy. All auto insurance policies in Illinois come with uninsured motorist coverage, and this coverage can kick in after a hit and run.

Unfortunately, even your own insurance company is likely going to try to avoid compensating you. They may try to twist your words and use them against you. They may offer you a lowball settlement that will not cover your medical bills. The bottom line is that the insurance company is not your friend after a hit and run car accident. Fortunately, you can have an Illinois hit and run lawyer deal with the insurer on your behalf.

Suing the Driver

Your other option for recovering compensation after a hit and run in Illinois is suing the driver. Of course, you will have to know who the driver is. Filing a police report, teaming up with an experienced hit and run car accident lawyer, seeking witness statements, and gathering any other available evidence can help you identify the driver.

If the driver is found, arrested, or comes forward, they are likely to have their attorney if they expect that you will pursue compensation from them in civil court. Expect fierce resistance from the driver and their lawyer. And be sure to come to this fight armed with evidence and a strong legal argument.

Calculating the Value of Your Hit and Run Accident Claim

You deserve compensation for every way in which this hit and run has harmed you. To ensure that you receive that full compensation, you will need to calculate the value of every damage you have suffered.

A trusted hit and run accident attorney can help you calculate the value of the following hit and run car accident damages, among others:

• Vehicle damage
• Medical bills
• Lost income during your recovery
• Reduced future income due to your injuries
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Reduced quality of life

Contact an Illinois Hit and Run Car Accident Attorney

Getting your life back after a hit and run car accident is not easy. You are likely injured and struggling to return to work and enjoy your family life. While this is such a dark time for so many people injured in these types of accidents, an experienced hit and run attorney can bring a little hope to this situation.

Your Illinois hit and run car accident lawyer from Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., can help you pursue the maximum compensation for this crash and your injuries. With over 15 years of experience and over $30 million recovered for thousands of clients, we have what it takes to win even the most challenging hit and run accident lawsuits.

To get started, give us a call at (312) 236-2900 or fill out our online contact form.