Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Hit and Run?

Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Hit and Run?

Normally, when a driver is in an accident, they stop to collect the other driver’s information, check on their injuries, and call for help if necessary. But what happens if the vehicle that caused the crash flees the scene? 

A 2018 study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluded that in 2016 there were 1,980 fatal hit-and-run crashes. Cumulatively, these crashes resulted in 2,049 deaths. 

Additionally, a 2020 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that 24 percent of pedestrian deaths in 2020 were the result of a hit-and-run accident. These numbers show that hit-and-run collisions are a real problem.

If you have recently been in a hit-and-run accident, you may be considering hiring a lawyer. Here is what you need to know.

Treat the Accident the Same as Another Crash

One important thing to remember about hit-and-run accidents is that they should be treated in the same manner as any other crash. This means that even though you are not able to identify the other party, you will still need to prove you are not at fault and deserve compensation. 

In this regard, contacting an attorney could help you obtain compensation for your medical bills and the damage to your vehicle.

Try to Identify the Driver

Unfortunately, many hit-and-run crashes remain unsolved due to the police being unable to locate the other driver. You can help them out by writing down everything you can remember about the accident. Make sure to do so immediately following the accident, while everything is fresh in your mind.

Helpful details include any of the following information about the other driver:

  • Vehicle’s make and model
  • Vehicle’s color
  • License plate number
  • Driver’s facial characteristics

Even partial information is helpful and can potentially lead to the apprehension of the other driver.

If other drivers were present, make sure to ask them if they are able to remember any identifying characteristics of the vehicle or driver. If the accident occurred near a store or roadway where there is a security camera, check with the camera’s owner to see if the footage can be reviewed.

Finally, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle. This will help down the line when you are filing a claim and need proof of damages. If any issues arise, this will enable you to show you are telling the truth.

Obtain Medical Treatment

After the accident, you should go to a hospital immediately and get yourself checked out. This applies even if you do not have any visible injuries. Getting medical attention ensures that you are in good health, but is also important in helping you receive just compensation.

Going to the doctor will serve as an index of your injuries and allow for precise documentation should you decide to file a personal injury claim.

Recover Damages

The process for recovering damages from a hit-and-run accident is slightly different than a regular accident. 

In the case of a normal accident, you would go to the other driver’s insurance agency for compensation. However, since the other driver fled the scene, you will need to go to your insurance company. The specifics of how to go about this will depend on the laws in your state.

How Compensation Works

If you are injured in a hit-and-run collision, you are entitled to compensation for medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering experienced as a result of the accident. 

An experienced personal injury attorney will understand the types of compensation involved and know how to advocate on your behalf, even when it comes to dealing with your own insurance company.

Understanding Car Accidents in Nevada

Understanding Car Accidents in Nevada

Car accidents occur in Nevada each day. Thousands of people are injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents yearly. Sadly, most of the motor vehicle accidents in Nevada could have been avoided.

Common Causes of Nevada Car Accidents

The most common causes of Nevada car crashes involve driver negligence. Inattention and reckless driving behavior account for most car wrecks. 

Common causes of car accidents include:

Hazardous road conditions and poor weather conditions can contribute to the cause of some car crashes. Additionally, defective automobiles and parts could cause some car accidents. 

Car Accident Victims Sustain Severe Injuries

A car accident can result in traumatic injuries. Catastrophic injuries often result in fatalities and permanent disabilities. 

Car accident injuries include:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Internal organ damage
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Seatbelt and airbag injuries
  • Chest injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Crushing injuries
  • Severe burns and scarring
  • Amputations and loss of limbs
  • Neck injuries, including whiplash
  • Nerve damage and soft tissue injuries
  • Back injuries, including broken vertebra, ruptured discs, and herniated discs

According to Justin Watkins, an experienced  Las Vegas car accident attorney, “Since Nevada is an at-fault state for car accidents, accident victims can sue the party or parties who caused the car accident”. Attorney Watkins explains it’s critical to consult your car accident case with a legal expert because the severity of the car accident injury directly impacts the quality of life, emotional well-being, physical health, and financial stability of car accident victims. 

Nevada drivers are required to have minimum liability insurance for automobile accidents. Therefore, most car accident claims begin by filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to accept liability for the accident or pay a reasonable amount for damage, you can file a lawsuit against the driver.

You Can Recover Compensation for Car Accident Claims

The compensation you receive for a car accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries and liability. Generally, car accident victims can recover compensation for their economic damages. 

These financial losses include:

Additionally, they can recover compensation for non-economic damages or “pain and suffering” damages. These damages include physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering. Accident victims can also recover compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.

If a person sustains a permanent injury, they can recover future damages. Future damages include:

In some cases, a car accident victim might receive punitive damages if they file a lawsuit. A jury awards punitive damages to “punish” a defendant for malice, fraud, or oppression. Punitive damages are only awarded in a small number of cases. 

How Do You Prove Fault for a Car Accident in Nevada?

Before an accident victim can recover compensation for damages, they must prove negligence. The elements of a negligence claim are:

  • A party owed the accident victim a legal duty of care
  • The party breached the duty of care 
  • The breach of care by the at-fault party was the direct and proximate cause of the car accident which resulted in the victim’s injuries
  • The victim sustained damages because of the car accident 

The burden of proof is on the accident victim to prove fault, causation, and damages to establish liability. If the case goes to trial, the level of proof is by a preponderance of the evidence. The jury must find that there is a greater than 50% chance that the allegations against the defendant are true.

Can You Receive Compensation for Damages if You Were Partially to Blame for a Nevada Car Accident?

Nevada adopted a modified comparative negligence law for personal injury cases, including car accidents. Nevada Revised Statute §41-141 does not bar a victim’s recovery for damages unless the victim was 51% or more at fault for the cause of their injury. 

Therefore, you can be partially to blame for the cause of a car accident and still receive some compensation for damages. However, the amount you receive for damages is reduced by the percentage of your fault. For instance, if you are 20% at fault for the cause of a car crash, the court reduces your damages award by 20%.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer For Help With Your Case

Car accident victims should seek legal advice from a car accident lawyer if they have questions or need assistance with a car accident claim. An attorney can help accident victims better understand their legal options, such as the compensation they may receive for their injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and other expenses that may be incurred.If you’ve been in a car accident in Las Vegas, you should contact an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer to help you with your case.

How To Find the Best Personal Injury Attorney in Florida

How To Find the Best Personal Injury Attorney in Florida

If you’ve been in an accident in Florida, you may have realized that the bills pile up quickly. You may have medical expenses related to your injuries, but those same injuries might keep you from working and earning income. You might not know where to turn. A personal injury lawyer is a good start.

If someone else’s negligence is responsible for your injuries, they may be liable for your damages. A personal injury attorney can help you pursue those damages through a personal injury claim. They can help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. They can help you move forward after an accident and regain a sense of financial security.

To be sure, there are a lot of personal injury lawyers in the Sunshine State. We put together this article to help you find the best attorney for your situation. 

Identifying Personal Injury Lawyers Near You

When you are looking for a personal injury lawyer, you should begin your search by gathering a handful of names. There are many sources that can help you.

Referrals from Friends and Family

Your family and friends may be one of your best sources for identifying a strong personal injury lawyer. If they had an injury case in the past, they can direct you to the attorney who got them a successful result. Alternatively, they may be able to help you steer clear of an attorney with whom they had a negative experience. Even if your family or friends have not had an injury case, they may still know of attorneys who practice personal injury law. 

Lawyers (in other practice areas), judges, and paralegals can also be great sources of information for determining which injury lawyers have a strong reputation in your community.

Legal Directories

Legal directories are another excellent place to locate skilled personal injury lawyers in your area.

The most helpful legal directories are:

  • Avvo – rates attorneys on a scale of 1 to 10 based on profile information and public data available on the attorney. 
  • Martindale-Hubbell – rates attorneys based on peer reviews of the attorney
  • FindLaw – rates lawyers according to the average of all ratings submitted for the lawyer or organization.
  • Justia – rates lawyers based on peer-to-peer reviews

You should look for an attorney who has high ratings on these directories. Ideally, you should look for an attorney who has favorable ratings from colleagues and former clients. For example, Bill Allen, an experienced Gainesville personal injury lawyer, enjoys a “9.8 – Superb” rating on Avvo and an “AV-Preeminent” rating on Martindale Hubbell.

Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyer Bill Allen Avvo Rating

As a Florida personal injury lawyer, Bill is proud to earn high marks from legal rating services because they reflect his experience, skill, and ethics in Florida personal injury law.

Lawyer Referral Services

The Florida State Bar has a lawyer referral service for the public. When you use this service, you will briefly describe your legal situation and provide the service with a way to contact you. 

The service will match you with a lawyer based on your needs and geographic location. You can then connect with that lawyer to discuss your injury claim. Keep in mind the service may not necessarily screen lawyers for quality. It’s focused more on location and practice area.

Online Searches

Search engines are always a nice place to find information about lawyers in your area. However, the law firms that appear first on Google may not be the best for your legal situation; they may just have the biggest marketing budgets.

Therefore, you shouldn’t only rely on Google rankings to make your decision. Instead, examine the attorney’s reviews and ratings on legal directories as mentioned above.

Meet With Prospective Attorneys – Most Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Offer a Free Consultation

After you have identified a few potential lawyers in Florida, you should schedule free consultations with each attorney. Speaking to multiple lawyers will help you get a feel of what you want and don’t want in a lawyer. It will help you find an attorney that is compatible with your legal needs.

You should use the free consultation to get as much information as possible about your injury claim. You should also ask specific questions about the lawyer’s services.

Consider asking:

By asking these questions, you will be able to set clear expectations about your case and attorney. These questions will also facilitate a healthy relationship with your attorney and minimize misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Selecting the Right Florida Personal Injury Attorney to Represent You

To have the best odds of a successful personal injury claim, you should make sure your attorney has certain skills. These skills can be the difference between receiving maximum compensation for your injuries and receiving nothing at all.

Organization Skills

There are a lot of moving parts in a personal injury case. There are filings, investigations, deadlines, etc. Your lawyer needs to be able to manage each stage and filing of a case effectively. Missing a deadline or hearing can have disastrous consequences for your claim.

You also need to make sure your lawyer has the skills to organize and track all documents and evidence in your case. This evidence will be critical for helping you prove liability in your case and achieving a favorable result.

Knowledge of Florida Personal Injury Law

Your lawyer needs to understand and apply Florida injury and insurance law to make the most of your case. These laws, including comparative fault rules and statutes of limitation, can be highly technical. You may not want a lawyer who is a generalist or who typically practices criminal law.

Experience Handling Your Type of Accident Case

You don’t only want a lawyer who has experience in personal injury law. You also want a lawyer who has experience handling your type of personal injury case.

Not all personal injury cases are created equal. Some arise from motor vehicle accidents. Some from medical malpractice. Some from other incidents. 

You need a lawyer who understands the nuances of your injury case and knows what proof they need to offer to win your claim.

Excellent Communication and Negotiation Skills

Most personal injury claims settle. Insurance companies and other defendants prefer not to risk trial if they can settle for a reasonable sum. Therefore, your lawyer needs high-level negotiating skills. They need to be able to leverage their skills and the evidence in your case to make the at-fault party pay fair compensation.

Your lawyer also needs to be able to explain technical legal concepts simply. If they can do this for you in a free consultation, it’s likely that they can do it in front of a judge and jury, also.

Hire a Top Florida Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case

Hopefully, this guide has equipped you with strategies for finding the best Florida personal injury lawyer for your case. If you choose the right attorney, your case should proceed smoothly through the different stages. It may take a few tries to find the right attorney, but the effort will have been well worth it if the attorney helps maximize your compensation after your accident.