Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
Trusted and experienced Nashville car accident attorney
When there’s a car accident in Tennessee, all parties are required by state law to stay on the scene until things get sorted out. But what happens if a driver causes an accident, then drives away? Hit-and-run accidents can be very complicated. That’s why you need an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the legal process.
For more than 20 years, The Law Office of Eric Beasley has been fighting for the injured and helping them recover the financial compensation they need and deserve. Nashville hit-and-run-accident attorney Eric Beasley has helped thousands of clients and continues to receive referrals from them. He has earned a reputation as a hard-working attorney who knows how to handle tough cases.
How to report a hit-and-run accident
If another driver hit your car and fled the scene of the accident, it’s important that you report it right away. Like other car accidents, the first thing you should do is call the police. Ask the police to send an officer to your crash. Leaving the scene of a car accident in Tennessee that results in a serious injury or death is a crime.
If possible, take these other steps as soon as possible after your crash:
- Write down as much as possible about the car and driver who caused your hit-and-run accident. What color was the car? Did you see the license plate number? What did the driver look like? The more details, the better.
- Don’t follow the driver. You could put yourself and others in danger. Leave that to the police.
- If someone saw your hit-and-run accident, get the person’s full name and phone number. They might be able to better identify the driver or the car involved in your crash. Eyewitness testimony can be significantly strengthen your case.
- Wait at the scene of your accident for the police to arrive.
- Contact your insurance company and file a car accident claim.
- As soon as possible after your hit-and-run accident, call a lawyer.
What insurance covers hit-and-run accidents?
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, you’re probably wondering how you will pay for your accident-related expenses. If the hit-and-run driver is found, their insurance should pay, the same as any other accident. But if they are never found, you need to look elsewhere. Fortunately, your car insurance policy may cover your accident expenses, if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of your car insurance policy.
If you don’t have UM coverage, you may still be able to obtain financial compensation for your insurance company if you have the following types of coverage:
- Collision coverage, which covers the cost to repair or replace your car.
- Medical payments (MedPay) insurance, which covers the cost of your medical expenses related to your hit-and-run accident.
Proving fault in a hit-and-run accident
So how do you prove the other driver caused your car accident if the driver fled the scene of your crash? Proving fault in a hit-and-run accident is no different than any other accident in many ways.
The investigating police officer will create an accident report explaining what happened. Your insurance company will carefully review this report when deciding whether to financially compensate you for your accident-related expenses.
Make sure you see a doctor right away after your accident as well. This way, your car accident injury can be correctly diagnosed and you can receive the medical care you deserve. Also, if you don’t seek medical attention, your insurance company will likely question whether you actually got hurt in your accident.
All of these steps – and many more – can be very important when proving fault in a hit-and-run accident. That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced attorney on your side, building the strongest possible legal case in support of your injury claim.
Fighting for the best possible outcome
Why do drivers leave the scene of an accident? Most often, it’s because they don’t want to get in trouble. They may have been driving without a license or insurance. They have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Or they were doing something else illegal, such as transporting illegal drugs.
You were hurt in a hit-and-run accident. Now what? There are steps you can take to protect your health and your rights. Call the police and get medical attention, even if you seem to feel OK. Take pictures of the accident scene and write down your account of what happened before you forget certain details. Then, call an experienced lawyer.
An attorney can help you pursue every available option for recovering compensation. In some cases, those options are limited. Police may catch the driver who caused the accident, but the driver may not have insurance. You could still pursue a lawsuit, but the driver may not have enough assets to pay damages.
You should be covered if you chose to get uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) for your car insurance policy. But even your own insurance company may try to minimize your financial compensation. For example, they may question the extent of the injuries you suffered.
Experience handling tough cases
Attorney Beasley knows how to handle hit-and-run accident cases and will look at every possible avenue for recovering compensation. In certain cases, there may be the possibility of taking legal action against a third party whose negligence helped cause the accident. For example, there may have been a defective part on the car.
If you were hurt in an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver, it’s important to get legal advice from a trusted attorney as soon as possible. You have one year from the date of your accident to take legal action against any negligent parties that are identified. Over time, evidence may be lost, and the memories of witnesses may fade.
Learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a hit-and-run accident lawyer. We can review the details of your accident, go over your legal options and answer any questions you have. You can expect honest answers from us about what to expect. If we take your case, you can expect hard work to get the best possible outcome.