Can I File a Personal Injury Claim After a Hit and Run Accident in Illinois?

 Posted on November 11, 2020 in Hit-and-Run Accidents

Being involved in a car accident is a distressing experience regardless of the circumstances. However, hit and run accidents are often especially traumatic. Illinois law requires motorists to stop and exchange contact and car insurance information whenever they are in an accident causing property damage or personal injury. Unfortunately, some drivers attempt to evade responsibility for an accident by speeding away from the accident scene. If you or a loved one were hurt in a hit and run accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you need to cover accident-related costs.

Can I File a Claim Even if the At-Fault Driver Cannot Be Located?

In the moments after a traumatic car accident, most people are in a state of shock. They may be disoriented or even knocked unconscious by the force of the impact. Taking note of the at-fault driver’s vehicle or license plate number may simply not be possible. Without this information, it can be difficult for law enforcement to catch the driver and for you to recover compensation through the driver’s insurance company. Footage from dash cameras or nearby security cameras and other types of evidence may help to locate a hit and run driver, but there are many cases in which hit and run drivers are never brought to justice. Fortunately, you may still be able to recover compensation after a hit and run accident even if the driver cannot be located.

Bringing a Claim Against Your Own Insurance Company

The at-fault driver’s car insurance company is typically on the hook for costs resulting from a car accident. In a hit and run accident, obtaining compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer may not be possible. However, you may be able to recover financial compensation through your own insurance company. If you have liability insurance in Illinois, you also have uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is intended to cover costs caused by someone without insurance or someone who has too little insurance. Unfortunately, insurance companies often offer settlements that do not fully compensate injured victims for their damages. A personal injury attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance company and seek compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost income, property damage, and more.

Contact a Lake County Hit and Run Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one were involved in a hit and run car accident, contact Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. Call our office at 847-662-3303 today and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled Waukegan car accident attorney.

Source:

https://www.thezebra.com/auto-insurance/illinois-car-insurance/state-laws-il/