A hit-and-run accident occurs when a vehicle crashes into another, and then one of the drivers leaves the scene before the police arrive. In Missouri, a hit-and-run vehicle is often referred to as a phantom vehicle. Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law, and the driver of the phantom vehicle is often caught. People who have criminal warrants or were operating their motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol often flee the scene of a crash.
At A.W. Smith Law Firm, P.C., we have investigators that work with law enforcement to help identify phantom vehicles. Our accomplished legal team has decades of experience helping our clients seek compensation for their damages and injuries. We have successfully recovered over $75 million for our injured clients.
If you or a loved one were injured in an automobile crash due to the negligent actions of another, seek help from a Columbia, MO hit-and-run accident lawyer to learn about how you may still be able to recover compensation for your damages. Speak to our seasoned car accident attorneys to understand your rights and options when a motorist flees the scene of a collision. We will fight tirelessly to get you the settlement you need.
The very first thing to do after being injured in a hit-and-run accident is to call the police as well as seek immediate medical care. In most cases, individuals involved in collisions may not feel the effects of the crash for a few hours or even a few days. Individuals should always try to ensure that they receive proper medical care following a motor vehicle collision.
Second, individuals should try to be cognizant of the events surrounding the collision, including the names of any witnesses and photographs of the scene. Those are things that are important to remember prior to contacting an attorney.
Third, it is important that individuals contact a Columbia hit-and-run accident lawyer to help facilitate their rights and remedies with their insurance company as well as with the person who caused the collision.
The recoverable damages in a hit-and-run case are very similar to any other motor vehicle collision. When determining the types of damages an individual could recover, the courts will look at how the injuries and damages will affect a person’s everyday life, financially or in carrying out their everyday living activities. With the help of our skilled legal team at The AW Smith Law Firm, we could help injured claimants recover compensation for damages such as:
Punitive damages are designed to punish a responsible party and to deter others from engaging in that type of activity. If an experienced attorney is able to identify the individual guilty of a hit and run, that can be considered an aggravating circumstance that could increase recovery.
In a hit-and-run accident, fleeing the scene can sometimes be used to show they were fleeing from responsibility. That can affect the process of how a personal injury attorney is able to present the case for a client. If the responsible party is not discovered, a skilled attorney could try to seek recovery from the client’s insurance under an uninsured motorist and phantom vehicle claim.
Our attorneys at A.W. Smith Law Firm can help a client involved in a hit-and-run accident by helping to facilitate a private investigation separate from that of law enforcement. A Columbia hit-and-run accident lawyer could help individuals learn about the possible remedies available in such cases, and if they cannot identify the individual who fled the scene, or if they can file an uninsured-motorist claim.
We are available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call today to get started.
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