Columbia Hit and Run Accidents Lawyer
Hit and run crashes are one of the worst displays in humanity, yet happen hundreds of thousands of times a year, and are committed by seemingly every-day, regular people. If you were injured in a hit and run crash, do not give up hope, even if the at-fault driver has yet to be identified or located. The Columbia hit and run driver lawyers at Simmons Law Firm work alongside police to solve hit and run cases, and will be at your side when it comes to pursuing maximum compensation for your damages. Even if the hit and run driver is never found, you still have options for compensation by filing a claim with your own insurance company. We can walk you through these options and develop a plan of action to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Deadly and Injury-Causing Hit and Runs are on The Rise Across the Country
There are over 700,000 hit and runs every year, and they have been increasing in number by seven percent every year since 2009, according to AAA Newsroom. According to the Wall Street Journal, 70 percent of all fatal hit and run victims are bicyclists or pedestrians. Pedestrians and cyclists are the victims of hit and run collisions at much higher rates than other drivers, for the obvious reason that a driver can usually get away after hitting a person versus hitting a car. In fact, within the last decade, about 20 percent of all pedestrian fatalities were hit and run collisions. During that same period, just one percent of driver fatalities occurred in hit and runs.
Finding the Hit and Run Driver
Fleeing the scene of a crash is against the law, no matter the circumstances. Often, a driver flees in an attempt to cover up the fact that they were drunk. Other times, the driver panics, assuming they will be found at fault. Regardless of the reason, fleeing drivers make the conscious decision to protect themselves from petty traffic fines, which are usually just a few thousand dollars, over giving potentially life-saving aid to the victims they leave behind. Some hit and run drivers turn themselves in the days or weeks following the crash. Others attempt to remain hidden, yet are caught months, or even years, later. If the hit and run driver is never found, you can file a claim with your own uninsured motorist policy, seeking the full damages that the hit and run driver would have been responsible for paying had they been found.
Damages in a Columbia Hit and Run Collision
- Medical costs and future medical expenses;
- Property damage;
- Pain and suffering;
- Lost wages and lost earning ability due to disability;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Emotional distress;
- PTSD; and
- More.
Contact a Columbia Hit and Run Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you were harmed by a driver who fled the scene, whether you were a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver at the time of the crash, you deserve to be compensated one way or another. We can help make this a reality. Call the Columbia hit and run personal injury attorneys at Simmons Law Firm today at 803-779-4600 to schedule a free consultation.
