Getting hit by another driver on a Seattle area roadway causes drivers and pedestrians enough stress as it stands. When the driver responsible for the accident leaves the scene before they can take responsibility for their actions, you become stuck not only with the damage done to your property but with that driver’s utter lack of care for your condition.
You do not have to let hit and run drivers get away with their behavior. Instead, you can collaborate with a Seattle hit and run accident lawyer. The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you identify the party responsible for your accident and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review.
Tackling a Seattle Hit and Run Accident
Washington is an at-fault state, meaning that the driver who caused a car crash would have liability for the damages resulting from the incident. When a hit and run driver causes the accident, that can complicate matters. However, if the police apprehend the driver, so long as you can prove that they were at the scene and caused the accident, you could hold them responsible for your post-accident expenses. A Seattle hit and run accident lawyer can further demonstrate their responsibility by citing Washington’s expected standard of driver care as established by Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 46.52.020.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run lawyer serving Seattle, call (844) 730-0233
When You Should Work with a Seattle Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
A Seattle hit and run accident lawyer can make a frustrating accident simpler to handle. Not only can an attorney help you identify the party responsible for your losses, but the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you calculate your potential compensation while gathering evidence of your accident’s severity.
To pursue legal action against a hit and run driver, you must work to identify them and compile evidence that places them at the accident scene. You might work with police officers as they investigate the crash. A hit and run accident lawyer can also help you gather the documentation you need to support legal action against the at-fault driver. This evidence could include:
- Video, photo, or audio footage from the scene of the accident.
- Police reports from the scene of the accident.
- Eyewitness accounts identifying the responsible party or detailing the severity of the accident.
- A license plate number identified in video footage or eyewitness testimony.
- Insurance company statements identifying fault.
With a responsible party identified and your case substantiated, you can calculate the compensation owed to you. You can claim accident-related damages such as:
- Any medical bills you incurred at the time of filing your complaint.
- Any future medical expenses related to the accident that medical professionals deem necessary to restore your previous quality of life.
- The cost of any in-home aids you need to go about your daily responsibilities.
- Lost income or opportunity for employment.
- Pain and suffering.
- Physical therapy.
- Psychological counseling.
- Property damage done to your car or any belongings.
If a loved one died in the hit and run accident, you could sue for wrongful death and recover for funeral and burial costs, loss of consortium, and more.
You must file your suit within three years of your accident, according to RCW § 4.16.080. If you miss the deadline, a court could dismiss your concerns, and you may not receive the compensation you deserve.
Be Ready if Hit and Run Driver Goes Unidentified
You must prepare for the possibility that police can never find the hit and run driver. If you have uninsured motorist coverage as described by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, you could file a claim against this policy to recover compensation for your damages. RCW § 48.22.030 requires your insurance company to offer you this coverage, although you can decline it.
Seattle Hit and Run Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Addressing Insufficient Settlements
Drivers’ responses to a hit and run accident will differ. Some drivers may attempt to flee and only reappear when summoned by a court. In other situations, a driver may take off from the scene of an accident and return later out of guilt.
It is rare, though, for the driver responsible for a hit and run accident to offer a settlement agreement before having legal action taken against them. A Seattle hit and run accident lawyer can help you identify the party responsible for the damages you endured and speak to them before going to court. In these cases, the responsible driver or their insurance company might offer you a settlement before trial covering the medical expenses you have already incurred and the damage done to your car.
That said, you do not have to accept an offered settlement immediately. Instead, you can go over a settlement with a personal injury lawyer and determine whether it meets all your needs. If not, a hit and run accident attorney can present a counteroffer and negotiate on your behalf. If negotiations fail, they can fight for compensation before a judge and jury.
Click to contact our Seattle Car Accident Lawyers today
Use Your Resources to Recover, Not to Pay Legal Fees
While waiting for police to identify the hit and run driver, you still must pay the bills for any injuries you suffered. You also will need to pay for damage done to your vehicle and other personal property, or you might have to replace them, all while possibly missing time from work and not receiving an income.
However, the good news is that you can still work with the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, without taking an upfront financial hit. We work on contingency, meaning that you will not receive a bill while you benefit from the firm’s services unless you receive compensation for your losses. Even then, the firm’s compensation comes as a percentage of your settlement, allowing you to continue using your savings for long-term needs.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
A Seattle Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Can Help You Fight for Compensation
The drivers responsible for hit and run accidents not only violate Washington’s required standard of care for drivers involved in crashes but also display negligence regarding their responsibility toward the safety of other drivers on the road. You do not have to let a hit and run accident go unanswered, nor do you have to suffer financially at the hands of a careless driver. A Seattle hit and run accident lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you identify the at-fault driver and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review with a team member.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
