I'm the victim of a hit and run accident, should I get a lawyer?

Question

I'm the victim of a hit and run accident that caused $15k in damages. I was taken to the ER with back pain. Should I obtain a lawyer?

Christopher Earley · Answer

Sounds like an uninsured motorist claim.

Kevin Habberfield · Answer

Yes.

James Osak · Answer

YES.

Michael Yeksavich · Answer

Yes.

Jonathan Jilek · Answer

Yes.

Charles E. Cartwright · Answer

Yes.

Melvin Franke · Answer

Yes.

Phong Thanh Tran · Answer

Yes.

Leonard Schwartz · Answer

Yes.

Ronald A. Steinberg · Answer

Yes!!!

Paul Samakow · Answer

Yes, get an attorney.  You will end up with more money, even after the attorney's fee is taken out.

Timothy Klisz · Answer

Yes. You will be up against a lawyer, so you need to even the playing field.

Stephen Lombardi · Answer

Well, did you have insurance? Is there any possibility of proving who the H&R driver is? Yes, get a lawyer.

Bradley Cornett · Answer

Do you have car insurance with uninsured motorist (UM) coverage?  If so, it may be appropriate for you to pursue a claim.  Consult with a reputable attorney.

Paul Whitfield · Answer

Who do you intend to sue? Do you have uninsured coverage on your own policy? Do you know what this type coverage is?  If you do have such coverage (call your agent if you don't know) you have a good claim. If you don't understand the concept but think you should be c overed see a lawyer.

Jeffery Robinette · Answer

You should take advantage of the free consultation that most personal injury lawyers offer and allow the lawyer to look at the facts of your case and evaluate whether or not you have a right to compensation from your own car insurance.

James Kelaher · Answer

It never hurts to get a good, competent lawyer. Look for a lawyer who limits his/her practice to personal injury (not a general practitioner) and who is a board certified civil trial lawyer (that means they have had to try a lot of cases). First thing you want to do is look at your declarations sheet of your car insurance policy to see if you have uninsured motorist insurance, since if you do your own insurance company will stand in the shoes of the "phantom motorist" (what a hit & run driver is called).

Dean Esposito · Answer

Yes, studies conducted by various insurance companies indicate that you will receive 2 to 3 times more with an attorney.

Willie Stephen Graves · Answer

Yes, particularly if an injury lawyer will take your case on contingency. If you have or are a named insured on an auto policy that provides Uninsured Motorist coverage, you have a good chance of getting a recovery.  Good luck.

David Craig · Answer

Yes you should obtain an attorney.  I would recommend that you hire an injury attorney.  There are all kinds of lawyers.  Some handle real estate matters.  Some handle criminal matters.  Others handle family law issues.  You even have general practitoners who handle all types of areas of the law.  However I think you would be best served by an attorney who handles only injury cases.  I think that there is an advantage to have an attorney who handles these type of cases day in and day out.  That lawyer should have more experience and that experience should result in you getting a better result.  The fact that you have been a victim once is bad enough but don't be a victim a second time by not getting a good injury attorney to fully investigate your claim.

Joseph John Ganz · Answer

YES you should engage a lawyer to assist you.

Stuart Nachbar · Answer

Get to a doctor that you trust first, then get the Police Report, then call a personal injury attorney in your area.  You may be able to make a claim against your own insurance for your injuries under the UM/UIM part of your policy.

Lisa Donaldson · Answer

Yes.  You should definitely seek the assistance of a lawyer.  You have a tricky road ahead in terms of medical bills and police reports and dealing with damage to yourself and your vehicle.  An attorney can assist you in negotiating your way.  In addition, he or she may be able to find a way for you to locate the other party and/or to be compensated for your injuries.

Matthew Kaplan · Answer

If you were hurt and need to continue care, you should contact an attorney.

Brian Bourke · Answer

Yes, the only way to ensure you are receiving proper compensation is to have an attorney, and hopefully, if the other driver can't be found, you have Uninsured Motorist coverage on your car insurance.

Jules D'Alessandro · Answer

Yes. Personal injury claims have become far too difficult to pursue without a lawyer.  You cannot trust the insurance companies to ever do the right thing or be fair with you.

Anthony Roach · Answer

It would help to get a lawyer. It would also help the lawyer to know who hit you.

Irving Blank · Answer

You probably have a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage and you should definitely retain a lawyer.

Steven D. Dunnings · Answer

Not unless you know who hit you.  Are the police investigating?

Jeffery Lebeau · Answer

The easy answer is that it is almost always better to have a lawyer when dealing with insurance companies. If you can not find the other driver then the only available recovery would be uninsured motorist coverage if you have it on your insurance policy.

David Stoddard · Answer

It depends on how severe your injury is.  You can file your damages claim on you uninsured motorist coverage.  If you injury is minor, you may be able to settle it satisfactorily yourself.  If you injuries are permanent, you should probably retain an attorney.

Michael Lehner · Answer

Even though the accident was a hit and run, if you have an automobile insurance policy for your own car it will cover your claim under the uninsured motorist coverage. You should get a lawyer to help you through that claim process.

Dennis P. Mikko · Answer

If the $15k in damages is to your vehicle, since Michigan is a no-fault state, the claim would be to your insurance company.  As for personal injuries, unless the other driver can be identified, it would be difficult to file a claim.  You may wish to determine if your policy provides any coverage for instances like this.  Having it reviewed by an attorney may be a good thing.

Gregory Crain · Answer

Only if you find the culprit.

Michael Heilmann · Answer

File a claim for no fault benefits with your carrier immediately.

Jerrie Weiss · Answer

Absolutely you need to get an attorney.

Jay P. Carmean · Answer

Yes, you should consult with an attorney.  I would advise meeting face-to-face with more than one.

Joel Selik · Answer

Yes. Do you have your own auto insurance?  Did the find  the driver?  An  attorney can help you with these things and getting  compensation.

Richard Lowell · Answer

Probably yes.  You will want your lawyer to help develop a claim on your behalf - that would be brought either against the hit and run driver (if the person is known and they had insurance), or against your own insurance company (assuming you have underinsured motorist coverage).

Robert Lucky · Answer

Yes, you should contact an attorney. There may be several options left for you to have some type of recovery for your damages.

Jeffrey Lapin · Answer

It is hard to answer whether you should retain a lawyer for your accident without more information. Some questions I would need answers to include: Do you know who the driver of the vehicle is? Is the driver insured? How much insurance does he or she have? Do you have a policy of motor vehicle insurance? What is your case worth?  If you know who the driver is and his or her insurance company is accepting liability, you might not need an attorney. However, if the driver only has minimal limits, which in Nebraska would be $25,000.00, and your case is worth more, you would have an Underinsured Motorist claim as well as the claim against the driver. There are special requirements you have to follow with regard to an underinsured motorist claim. If you do not follow them, you lose your rights to collect money under your underinsured motorist coverage. If you do not know who the driver is, you would have an Uninsured Motorist claim against your company. These claims generally work the same as those against the other driver with a couple of exceptions.  I would suggest at least consulting with a personal injury attorney. Most offer a free consultation so it will not cost you anything to learn more about your rights and options.

Bernard Huff · Answer

Yes you should at least consult with a plaintiff's personal injury lawyer  later for advice and direction. First, effort should be made to locate the hit  and run driver so that you can have someone from whom you can seek relief.

Steven A. Schwartz · Answer

Hit and run accidents can be tricky, as you no longer have an "at fault" party to go after.  However, there are other avenues to pursue to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as other damages.  I strongly suggest you contact an experienced personal injury attorney for a free consultation.

Paul Evans · Answer

If you sustained $15,000.00 in medical bills related to your person (not including damage to your vehicle), then you would be well-advised to speak with an qualified injury lawyer about your case, your expectations and prospects for recovery.

Ronald Lowry · Answer

Yes, as soon as possible. Even if you do not know the identity of the driver you may be able to make a claim under the Uninsured Motorist coverage of your auto policy, if you have that coverage.

Houston D. Smith III · Answer

Yes, you should hire a lawyer.  Hit and Run cases can provide for the imposition of punitive damages as well as compensatory damages.

John Brennan · Answer

Perhaps, but first call your insurance as they are primarily liable under the Michigan no fault statute.

John T. Wagener · Answer

If you believe that you insurance company is being unfair in handling your uninsured motorist claim, then you should retain an attorney.

Gregory Casale · Answer

If you have been injured you should seek an attorney to represent you. If the injuries are only sift tissue; no broken bones, scarring cuts, etc. and you were treated and released from the hospital the same day, it is not that great of a case, but you should pursue it nonetheless.

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I'm the victim of a hit and run accident, should I get a lawyer?

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