Columbus Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a hit-and run car accident in the Columbus area, you should be able to collect compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Those that flee the scene after a collision are criminally charged when found, so pursuing legal action against them will be easy at that point.

Our Columbus hit and run car accident attorney can help you identify and locate the driver who caused the collision and hold them financially responsible. The lawyer from our firm representing your claim can also help identify other ways to collect compensation after an accident.

When you are ready to explore the various methods you can use to have the financial expenses and losses of the accident covered, the hit and run experts at the Fitch Law Firm are available to review your case for free and calculate the worth of your hit and run accident case.

Get Help From a Columbus Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

When you or someone you love suffers injuries in a car accident, the at-fault driver could be held financially accountable for your injuries and any accident-related expenses. If you are involved in a car accident with a hit and run driver, collecting compensation can become much more difficult.

Ohio Revised Code § 4549.02 requires anyone in a car accident to stop and exchange information with the other involved driver. If the driver of the accident you were in does not obey this law, you may not be sure about how to collect compensation for physical injuries and property damage after a hit and run collision.

Do not accept the financial aftermath of a hit and run car accident without a fight. Even if you were unable to obtain information on the driver, the difference between paying for a hit and run accident out of your own pocket and winning a settlement from the person who hit your car and left is having a skilled Columbus hit and run car accident attorney that knows how to get results.

Recoverable Damages After a Columbus Hit and Run Accident

After our Columbus auto accident attorneys help you identify and locate the at-fault hit and run driver, they can also help you hold them responsible for the accident. In addition to criminal penalties for leaving the scene of an accident, the courts could also compel the at-fault driver to cover your injury-related expenses.

• Current medical bills
• Future medical bills
• Current lost income
• Future lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Physical disfigurement
• Physical disability

A successful personal injury claim will mean the at-fault driver or their insurance company will cover these expenses and losses. You might have additional expenses related to your accident that are also eligible for financial recovery. Our Columbus hit and run accident lawyer will help you review your accident-related expenses and ensure your claim is not undervalued or underpaid.

Wrongful Death Damages in a Columbus Hit and Run Accident

If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in an auto accident that someone else caused, we are truly sorry for your loss. We want to help you and your family get the compensation you need as you process your relative’s passing and manage their affairs.

Our Columbus wrongful death lawyer can manage your case and help you seek damages, including your loved one’s final medical expenses, funeral and burial arrangements, and lost household income. We can discuss this further during a free consultation.

How Our Columbus Hit and Run Attorney Can Help Your Case

We understand that it is hard to recover from an accident while treating your injuries. There are also higher hurdles to overcome as injured victims usually do not have the information of the driver who hit them. After being involved in a hit and run collision, you still have a chance at pursuing justice against the driver that hit you.

Our Columbus auto accident lawyer can make it easier for you and lead your entire compensation case for damages. Even if criminal charges are brought against the offending driver later, you can still file a civil claim or lawsuit against them to compensate you for your losses. When you become our client, we can do all of the following in your case:

• Investigate the accident and gather evidence (e.g., a police report, medical records, witness testimony) that shows what happened
• Determine if other parties can be held liable for your damages (e.g., a municipality that oversees the site where the accident happened)
• Assess your damages and assign a financial amount to your case
• Manage relevant paperwork and legal communications
• Consult with expert witnesses who can explain the short- and long-term impact of your injuries
• Negotiate with an insurer for fair compensation on your behalf
• Prepare and file a lawsuit in civil court if we cannot settle your case without a trial

Why UM/UIM Coverage Is Important in Hit and Run Accidents

An injury lawyer from our Columbus firm can negotiate with your insurance company for compensation if your policy contains uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. This insurance is ideal for situations like this, as it helps victims receive financial relief in the event of an accident that an unknown person caused.

There is a chance that police could find the hit and run driver later, so we can keep in touch with them to find out who you could pursue for damages. However, if that person doesn’t come forward, a UM/UIM policy can help pay some of the losses you suffered. Our hit and run car accident attorney in the Columbus area can advise you based on your case’s specifics.

You Can Build Your Compensation Case Immediately After a Columbus Hit and Run Accident

In addition to seeking immediate medical attention, you should start attempting to locate the hit and run driver as soon as possible. Because locating the driver or owner of the car that hit you can be time-consuming, you should start searching for the person as soon as possible.

An accident that occurs in Columbus has a deadline that you must comply with. Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 generally allows two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation. Our hit and run car accident lawyers in Columbus will make sure your case is comprehensive and filed within Ohio’s statute of limitations.

A Crash Report Can Help Identify the Hit and Run Driver Who Hit You in Columbus, OH

If you are in a hit and run accident, contact Columbus police as soon as possible to report the at-fault driver and document the accident’s details. A police report can obtain valuable information that will help us identify and locate the at-fault driver, including:

• The responding police officer’s investigative notes
• Names and contact information of any witnesses
• Date, time, and location details of the accident

Because the driver who hit your car fled the scene, you should also document as many details of the accident as possible. In addition to your police report, take these actions at the scene of the accident, if possible:

• Take photos of the damage to your car from a variety of angles
• Ask bystanders for help recalling details about the hit and run driver’s vehicle
• If you are near a business or a home with cameras, ask for copies of their footage or contact information so that law enforcement can request it.

Your lawyer can help you understand the value of these documents and evidence and show you methods and techniques that can help identify the hit and run driver. Even a partial license plate number or vehicle description can help identify the driver. Once the driver is identified, they can be held financially accountable for the accident they caused.

Get Medical Help Immediately After a Hit and Run Accident

Finding the driver who struck your car and fled the scene is important. Seeking prompt medical care for your injuries is also important. If your injuries or the injuries of any passengers in your car are severe, call 911 for an ambulance.

Ensure you receive the proper medical care you need after a car accident. Even if you believe your injuries are not severe at first, you should still see a doctor right away to rule out any hidden injuries, such as:

• Internal bleeding
• Soft tissue damage
• Emotional trauma

These and any other injuries you sustain should receive treatment as soon as possible to avoid having them worsen over time. The at-fault driver should cover the cost of treating these injuries.

Proving to Insurance That You Were in a Hit and Run

Being able to recover physically and financially from a hit-and-run accident is frustrating enough, but occasionally, vehicle insurance companies make the situation much more difficult by rejecting your accident claim.

The best course of action for appealing your insurance’s decision is to follow the procedures listed below if you need advice on what to do if your hit-and-run claim is denied:

• Receive medical attention and follow through with the treatment plan of your physician.
• Keep all related invoices and receipts that relate to the hit and run accident.
• File a police report immediately. Any details you have about the driver or vehicle should be provided to the authorities.
• Use an attorney’s free consultation session to your benefit and get insight on dealing with appealing insurance denials.

You Can Recover Money From a Columbus Hit and Run Accident – And We Can Help

When a driver hits your car and flees the scene, you might not know what to do to avoid bearing the financial brunt of an accident that was not your fault. There are methods that can help you receive the financial compensation you deserve that you might not be aware of.

If you want help seeking recovery, a Columbus hit and run car accident lawyer can help you identify and locate the at-fault driver or explore other options for financial recovery. Contact the case review team at The Fitch Law Firm today and schedule a free case evaluation.