Washington, D.C. Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

Are You the Victim of a Hit and Run Accident? Let a Lawyer from Our Firm Help.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are especially common in densely populated areas, such as Washington, D.C. Heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic increase the likelihood of hit-and-run collisions involving cars and bicycles, and the American Automobile Associates reports that many hit-and-runs go unsolved. If you sustained an injury in a hit-and-run accident, a Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer is here to help you seek compensation for your damages.

Fleeing the Scene of an Accident is Against the Law

Fleeing the scene of a car accident is illegal. In fact, there are strict legal penalties for drivers who flee the scene of an accident, especially if the collision causes an injury, fatality, or property damage. When an accident causes an injury, all parties must stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives, even if they did not cause the accident.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, drivers will flee because they don’t have adequate insurance, they are under the influence, or they are fearful of accepting responsibility. Hit-and-run accidents can be especially troublesome to victims because of the added difficulty of trying to track down the responsible party.

What to Do After a Hit & Run Accident

The hit-and-run accident lawyers at Simeone & Miller, LLP understand that this can be a frustrating experience. These accidents are often traumatic for victims who are left at the scene feeling helpless and stunned. However, there are a few important things you should keep in mind if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident.

If you find yourself the victim of a hit-and-run, remember to:

• Pull over and stop. It may be tempting to chase after the driver that hit you, but doing so can result in even more damage or personal harm. Remain at the scene and wait for help. If you leave the scene, police might question who is at fault and you will likely miss out on key eyewitness accounts.
• Call the police. If you have injuries, call for medical help as well. The police will be able to file an official accident report and use any information you or witnesses can provide to try to find the missing driver. The report will also be helpful when you file your accident claim. In fact, some insurance policies require you to promptly notify the police of a hit-and-run accident; otherwise, your claim may be denied.
• Gather as much information as possible. This may be difficult, but if you are able, make a note of the driver’s license plate number, the make, model, and color of the vehicle, any damage the other vehicle may have sustained, the direction in which it was headed, and any other pertinent details. If there were witnesses, ask them to provide any information you might not have been able to observe.
• Contact your insurance company. They can begin the process of helping you to file a claim, as well as provide you with towing and rental car services. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, this can help cover some of the costs of the auto accident. Next, you should also consult a hit-and-run accident lawyer.

What If Someone Ran Me Off the Road?

If the actions of another driver forced you to make evasive maneuvers, and ultimately resulted in you getting into an accident, you have a right to recover against that driver. There is no requirement that there be contact between vehicles in order for you to make a claim against someone. We have recovered money on behalf of persons who were run off the road by drivers switching lanes, pulling in front of them in traffic, and making illegal turns.

In these types of situations, we suggest that you contact the police immediately after the incident in order to document the circumstances of your auto accident. In addition, some insurance contracts will have requirements that accidents such as these be reported either to them or the police within a certain period of time.

Contact a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer from Simeone & Miller for a Free Consultation

Were you involved in a hit-and-run accident? Contact an attorney as soon as possible! At Simeone & Miller, LLP, we believe in your right to seek justice and fair compensation after a collision. Let us use our experience to help you fight for the money you deserve. We offer a free initial consultation, so please don’t wait to give us a call or contact us online.