A hit-and-run accident occurs when a person strikes another or causes an accident and then flees without providing information to the victim. This is devastating when it occurs, almost like a second level of infliction of suffering after the initial accident. Yet, you have rights in many situations. If you know what to do after a hit-and-run accident in Tennessee, you may be able to obtain the financial compensation owed to you.
Insurance companies will fight these claims. Allow The Law Offices of Christopher Eads to guide you through getting compensation after a hit-and-run car accident.
Before anything else, call the police, get medical care, and ensure that you have gathered the information of any witnesses on the scene. These steps help to ensure that you get the support you need later. The police will go to work to determine who is responsible, including gathering any evidence of the incident from cameras and witness statements. Because a hit-and-run is illegal in Tennessee, the police will work to find the person.
Get the medical care you need. Follow up with your doctors and specialists. Then, contact our attorneys. Allow our legal team to work with you to determine what your right to compensation is and to determine what losses you have.
In Tennessee, which is a fault state, the driver responsible for an accident must pay for the injuries they have caused. But, if that driver cannot be found, you cannot file a claim on their insurance. That is when you can use your own coverage. Here are several factors to consider.
Your health insurance policy should cover all of your medical needs (up to the coverage limits on your policy). As such, you should not delay getting care. Later, when you file a claim, you will be able to pursue compensation for all of these losses.
The state requires drivers to maintain an uninsured motorist coverage policy, which specifically will cover losses from a hit-and-run accident. You can file a claim against this policy – which is a policy you took out and paid for – to cover your losses. You can expect that insurance company to then try to find the responsible driver to cover any costs they end up paying you.
If you have MedPay or added Medical Payments coverage to your insurance policy, you may be able to use this to help cover some of the losses you have as well.
If you have an umbrella insurance policy, you may be able to use this to help cover any costs that go above and beyond what these other policies do not cover.
Turn to the Law Offices of Christopher Eads for help obtaining the compensation owed to you. Our legal team is ready to fight for you. We offer a free consultation when you call our office.
