Hit And Run Attorney in Birmingham, AL
Under Alabama’s rules of the road, you must always stay at the scene of a car accident. If you violate this rule, you may face criminal charges. However, that’s little consolation to the victims of a hit-and-run crash – especially if someone was seriously injured.
The Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Office have extensive experience helping victims of hit-and-run accidents in Alabama get the justice and compensation they deserve. We will thoroughly investigate your personal injury case, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. We will hold negligent drivers accountable and get you the maximum compensation possible.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit-and-run accident, don’t hesitate to contact Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Firm. We offer free consultations, so you can learn more about your legal options with no obligation. Call us today to schedule a consultation for our legal services.
Why Do I Need a Hit and Run Accidents Attorney in Alabama?
If you’ve been in a hit-and-run accident, you know how complicated and stressful the process can be. Not only do you have to deal with the physical and emotional fallout of the accident, but you also have to navigate the personal injury law legal system.
The entire process can be overwhelming, hence the need to have a good Birmingham car accident lawyer on your side. But what makes a reliable hit-and-run accidents lawyer?
Experience in dealing with hit-and-run cases
First and foremost, a competent Birmingham car accident attorney will have experience dealing with hit-and-run cases in Alabama. They will know the ins and outs of the legal system to help you get the best possible outcome for your case.
Compassion and legal understanding
Secondly, a good Birmingham car accident lawyer will be compassionate and understanding. They will know that you’re going through a tough time and will do everything they can to help you. Lastly, a skilled hit-and-run car accident attorney will be knowledgeable about the law and able to explain everything to you clearly and concisely.
At Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Office, we pride ourselves on being all those things. Our team of experienced and dedicated hit-and-run lawyers is ready to help our clients get the best possible outcome for their cases. We understand how difficult this time can be, and we’re here to help make it as easy as possible for you.
If you’ve been in a hit-and-run car crash, don’t hesitate to call us today. We’ll answer any of your questions and help you get started on your road to recovery.
What are Hit and Run Accidents?
A hit-and-run car accident occurs when a driver hits another car or pedestrian and leaves the scene without providing the other party’s insurance information or rendering aid to the victim. In Alabama, hit-and-run accidents are serious crimes that can lead to jail time, a license suspension, and enormous fines.
Can My Lawyer Hunt Down A Hit And Run Driver?
Our experienced legal team at Petro Accident and Injury Attorneys can identify the negligent driver’s identity. We frequently work with law enforcement authorities in their search for hit and run drivers. Together, we will look for evidence that can uncover the identity of the at-fault driver. For example, we may be able to interview witnesses and collect surveillance footage from nearby businesses to compile evidence that, when put together, helps us name the driver.
If we successfully identify the reckless driver, we will file any possible claims with their insurance carrier and aggressively pursue all possible damages, including punitive damages.
What Should I Do If I’m Involved In A Hit And Run?
Call 911 and Cooperate with Police Investigation
First, you should never leave the scene of an accident, no matter the circumstances. If you do so, you may face a wide variety of criminal and civil penalties. Instead, it is in your best interest to call 911, cooperate with the police investigation, and request emergency medical care.
If you are hit by another driver and they flee the scene, you should call 911 immediately. Also, do your best to identify the driver and vehicle. Even a description of the vehicle and a partial license plate number can go a long way in holding the reckless driver accountable for their conduct.
Obtain Contact Details of Witnesses
If you’ve been hit by a hit-and-run driver in Alabama, you must get the contact details of any potential witnesses. This will ensure that the police report contains all the pertinent information.
If you’re unable to gather this information on your own, ask a bystander for help. It’s also significant to get the names and contact information of everybody who saw the motor vehicle accident.
To identify the hit-and-run driver, try to gather all their available information, such as their license plate number, the brand and model of their car, and any other distinguishing characteristics. It can still be helpful even if you only have a partial picture. This will be useful if you need to file a lawsuit against the driver who struck you and then fled.
Keep a Record of Events
After a hit-and-run automobile accident, you need to take quick and thorough action to increase your chances of succeeding in a personal injury lawsuit. Be sure to record any details you can remember about the car accident, like the time and place it happened, the condition of the road and weather, and other relevant information.
Then, speak with an Alabama hit-and-run car accident attorney who can help you with the process and ensure you get the money you’re owed. If you have good legal representation, you have a much better chance of recovering fair compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses. So call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Get Medical Care for Your Injuries
Second, you should always get medical care for your injuries, no matter how minor they seem. After a crash, especially one with a hit and run driver, your adrenaline is running high. It’s easy to ignore or underestimate your injuries when your body is pumping with these “fight or flight” chemicals. However, what may seem like a minor injury may actually be early signs of a life-threatening or catastrophic condition. To protect yourself, always get checked out by a doctor.
Seek Legal Assistance from an Experienced Hit and Run Lawyer in Alabama
As soon as possible after being hit by a hit-and-run driver, you should obtain legal counsel from a skilled Alabama hit-and-run accident attorney. If you need to go to court or talk to your insurance company, an experienced personal injury lawyer can represent you.
Prioritize speaking with a personal injury attorney before calling the insurance company. The insurance company could use anything you say against you. On the other hand, a letter from a lawyer to the insurance company can often solve these kinds of problems.
Don’t be afraid to hire a lawyer. Hit-and-run accidents are sensitive, complicated situations that require the knowledge of a skilled auto accident lawyer.
Will My Insurance Company Cover A Hit & Run?
Alabama has a fault-based auto insurance system. That means that accident victims typically file a claim with a negligent driver’s insurance company rather than their own. But what happens when you don’t know the identity of the at-fault driver? The answer may vary, depending on your personal insurance policies.
Unfortunately, if you only have minimum coverage in Alabama, you may discover that you cannot get the compensation you deserve. That’s why we encourage everyone to get as much auto insurance coverage as they can reasonably afford. Optional policies, like uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) and med pay coverage, can go a long way towards alleviating your financial distress. UM/UIM policies step in when the other driver does not have enough coverage or you cannot identify the driver. Med pay will pay your medical bills regardless of who caused the crash.
What are Penalties for Hit-and-run Accidents?
If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, you should know the potential penalties you might face. In Alabama, if a hit-and-run collision causes a grave injury or wrongful death, it is classified as a felony. A hit-and-run is typically regarded as a misdemeanor if all that is damaged is property. But even a minor hit-and-run charge carries a potential jail sentence.
If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, you must contact an experienced hit-and-run car accident lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama, who can help protect your rights and fight for fair compensation.
What Does Alabama Hit And Run Law Say?
When you get a driver’s license, you are agreeing to follow Alabama’s road rules. One of these essential rules is contained in Alabama Code §32-10-2, which requires every driver to:
- Stop at the scene of an accident if there is any property damage, bodily harm, or a fatality
- Call 911 and request medical assistance for injured crash victims
- Provide the authorities with their correct name, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license
When someone violates this rule, we call it a hit and run. If convicted, the offender may face jail time, fines, penalties, and loss of their driver’s license.
Additionally, the victims are typically eligible for compensation for their injuries and property damage.
A Prosecutor Is Pursuing A Criminal Case Against The Hit And Run Driver. Am I All Set?
No. Criminal charges and a personal injury claim are very different legal processes. The government prosecutor will only handle the criminal case and will not fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
However, you shouldn’t postpone your injury case while the prosecutor works on their case. In Alabama, you only have two years to file a personal injury claim against a hit and run driver—and it may take longer than that to fully investigate and try the criminal case. To protect your rights, contact a hit and run lawyer as soon as possible.
How Can I File a Claim with the At-Fault Driver's Insurer?
It’s important to know what to do after an accident, especially if it was a hit-and-run. In Alabama, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your chance to receive compensation. But it’s not always easy to determine who caused your injuries, and a single accident can result in many claims.
For example, let’s say you’re driving on the freeway when a truck in the next lane blows a tire. The motorist was speeding and had a few beers at lunch, so he sideswiped your car. You will require back surgery after the accident. Your lawyer’s investigation may reveal many injury claims from this incident.
First, there are driver and employer negligence claims. Second, if the truck’s tires have design or manufacturing problems, you may have a product liability claim. You could have a “dram shop” negligence claim if a restaurant or bar overserved the driver.
The bottom line is that if you’re involved in an accident, speak with a hit-and-run accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your legal options and preserve your right to receive compensation.
Learn More About Alabama Hit & Run Law
If you have questions about a hit and run injury claim and Alabama hit and run law, contact Petro Accident and Injury Attorneys today. Our Alabama hit and run attorneys will help you build a plan that protects your legal rights and financial interests.
Call our Birmingham Hit and Run Accidents Attorney Now!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may feel confused, overwhelmed, and even scared. The experienced hit-and-run accident attorneys at Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Firm in Birmingham, Alabama, can help.
We understand the laws surrounding hit-and-run accidents and will help you navigate the legal process, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Firm has a proven track record of success in a hit and run accident cases, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you. Call us now for a consultation.
