The sudden shock of a hit-and-run crash may leave you feeling helpless and confused about your next steps. Nearly 10% of fatal crashes in Connecticut involve hit and run drivers. Determining responsibility and seeking compensation for your injuries after a hit-and-run accident is extremely challenging. It’s a traumatic experience that leaves you dealing with property damage and physical pain without a clear understanding of how to get help if the responsible party remains missing. Below, our team of car accident attorneys in Middlebury, CT, answers some of the most common questions about how and when to file a claim to recover damages for your injuries after a hit and run accident.
What’s Considered a Hit and Run Accident in Connecticut?
At-fault drivers must stop to render aid, call authorities, and exchange contact information (including their name, address, and license plate number) regardless of the crash severity. A hit and run accident is defined as a crash that causes injuries or property damage and leaves the scene without identifying themselves or rendering aid. Under C.G.S. § 14-224, hit and run drivers face criminal consequences for evading responsibility.
How Common Are Hit-and-Run Accidents in Connecticut?
As stated above, nearly 10% of fatal crashes in the state involve a hit and run driver. Nationwide, hit and run accidents account for 12% to 15% of all collisions. Of these fatal crashes, 40% of the at-fault drivers who fled the scene lacked a valid driver’s license, and more than 50% drove vehicles not registered in their name. The odds of finding a hit and run driver depend on the accident’s severity and the available evidence. Law enforcement typically dedicates more resources to serious accidents involving injuries, where identification rates near 50%. For less severe crashes, the rate stays between 30% and 40%. Having a dedicated car accident attorney in Waterbury, CT, on your side improves your chances of identifying the at-fault driver, as we conduct a thorough, independent investigation into the circumstances of the case and coordinate with law enforcement to locate the responsible driver.
How Can You Find a Hit and Run Driver?
The best way to secure compensation without using your own insurance is to identify the at-fault driver. While determining liability is difficult when a driver flees, the team of Waterbury car accident lawyers at Moore, O’Brien & Dufour possesses the expertise to conduct comprehensive investigations. We analyze traffic camera footage, gather key eyewitness testimony, and collaborate closely with law enforcement to identify the person responsible for your injuries.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run Accident?
If you are injured in a hit and run, call 911 immediately to report the crash. Seek medical care right away to assess your health. If it’s safe, document the scene and try to remember distinctive markings on the at-fault vehicle. Get contact information from eyewitnesses and note surrounding businesses. You will likely need surveillance footage from these locations to identify the driver. Call your car insurance to start the claim process, then reach out to a car accident attorney in Middlebury, CT to ensure you are fairly compensated for your losses.
What Happens With Insurance if It’s a Hit and Run?
If the at-fault driver isn’t located, you’ll receive compensation by filing a claim through your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, which is required for all licensed drivers in Connecticut. State law requires every driver to hold UM coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. By default, your UM coverage matches your policy’s bodily injury liability limits. Optional policies like Collision Coverage and MedPay provide additional funds for car repairs and immediate out-of-pocket medical expenses while the investigation continues.
When Do You Need a Lawyer After a Hit and Run?
When you hire a car accident attorney in Middlebury, CT, you gain an advocate who ensures you are fairly compensated, even if the driver is never found. Even when you make a claim through your own UM coverage, your insurance company may attempt to deny your claim or downplay your injuries to avoid an expense payout. Your lawyer will help negotiate with your insurer to ensure you’re fairly compensated. We’ll also conduct an independent investigation to piece together the circumstances surrounding the accident and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Who Is Responsible for Damages After a Hit and Run Crash?
After a hit and run crash, the focus is on locating the at-fault driver and holding them accountable for their negligence. If the driver is found, you file a claim against their insurance for your damages. If the driver isn’t located, you file a claim through your required UM coverage. In either scenario, you are entitled to compensation. Our Waterbury car accident lawyers help you navigate these options to ensure you receive the assistance needed for a full recovery.
CTA Moore, O’Brien & Dufour: Car Accident Attorneys in Middlebury, CT
While recovering from a hit-and-run crash can feel overwhelming, you do not have to navigate the process by yourself. At Moore, O’Brien & Dufour, our Waterbury, CT, car accident attorneys offer personalized representation to secure compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We are here to support your recovery and help you move forward with confidence after an accident.