Fort Worth Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

While any type of car accident can be traumatic, being hit by another driver who leaves the scene of the accident can be especially problematic. Hit-and-run collisions are those in which one person involved in a crash leaves the scene of a collision without providing contact and insurance information to the other person. According to AAA, there were more than 700,000 hit-and-run auto collisions in the U.S. in 2016, which roughly translates into one hit-and-run in the nation every 43 seconds. The number of hit-and-run crashes has been increasing steadily since 2009.

This could be related to more people than ever driving without auto insurance, drivers who may have been drinking and driving, those driving on a suspended license, or drivers who are simply afraid of the consequences. (A recent WFAA report stated that at least 2.5 million drivers across the state of Texas are driving without auto insurance). It can make you feel so helpless when an at-fault driver who just caused your accident and your injuries leaves the scene before you’ve had a chance to get his or her information.

Of course, you can and should describe the driver and the vehicle to the police to the best of your ability, but there is simply no guarantee that the driver will be found and held accountable. If you’ve suffered serious injuries from a hit-and-run driver, you need a strong advocate who will not only help you get the medical attention you need but who will also work hard to hold the other driver accountable.

Why Choose Noteboom—The Law Firm?

When you choose Noteboom—The Law Firm as your Fort Worth hit-and-run accident lawyer, you have chosen a firm that is very different from other firms. We offer a highly experienced legal team that is fully committed to helping you through this difficult time. At Noteboom, we help those with serious injuries and devastating financial losses put their lives back together. Every single case we take is prepared in the most comprehensive, thorough manner.

This means that whether we negotiate a full settlement on your behalf or argue your case in court, our goal will always be to present an airtight case—one that will result in a settlement that covers all your damages. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may even be facing lifelong effects from your accident, including chronic pain, emotional trauma, and permanent disability. While financial compensation will not fully restore your life to the way it was before the accident, it can help you face the future without the additional struggle of worrying about finances.

How Can a Fort Worth Attorney Help with a Hit-and-Run Accident?

You may wonder how a Fort Worth attorney can help you if you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run accident. If the driver has not been apprehended, your attorney can help you explore all options regarding coverage. Your Fort Worth hit-and-run accident lawyer can use every resource at his or her disposal to help you locate the driver who hit you, by working closely with the police. If it becomes impossible to locate the at-fault driver, your attorney can look at your auto insurance to determine whether you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

If you do, your attorney can put together a claim for your damages and submit the claim to your insurer, working on your behalf to secure a full and fair settlement. It is extremely helpful to have an advocate on your side since your insurance company could act as an adverse party, even though you pay them for your insurance—including uninsured motorist benefits. When you choose Noteboom—The Law Firm, you benefit from the fact that we have an on-staff investigator. The investigator can speak to witnesses to determine whether anyone who saw the collision has information that could help the police find the at-fault driver.

How Are Hit-and-Run Accidents Handled with Insurance?

How your Fort Worth hit-and-run accident is handled through insurance will depend on several issues, the biggest of these being whether the driver who left the scene has been located. While the at-fault driver is responsible for your damages, if he or she cannot be located, then you must explore other options. Your own collision insurance will pay for damage to your vehicle up to coverage limits if the at-fault driver cannot be located, although you will likely have to pay a deductible, which is often between $500 and $2,000. (If the hit-and-run driver is eventually located, and has insurance, you may be able to recover your deductible from his or her insurer).

If you pay for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy, your losses can be covered through filing a claim with your insurer. Uninsured motorist coverage typically covers medical expenses, lost income, lost future earnings, and pain and suffering. If your insurance policy includes PIP coverage, then your medical expenses, lost wages, and other injury-related expenses like household help will be covered up to the limits on your policy.

A PIP claim can be made regardless of fault, so the fact that the at-fault driver left the scene is relatively unimportant for your PIP claim, which can help you pay some of your immediate expenses. Hit-and-run drivers who are apprehended will face both civil and criminal consequences. If your hit-and-run driver is caught, you can sue for compensatory and punitive damages.

The problem with this is that in many cases, a driver who leaves the scene does so because they lack insurance, don’t have a driver’s license, or have other criminal charges against them. If this is the case, they probably also don’t have the financial resources to be able to pay a judgment. It is important to discuss your options for recovering your damages with a knowledgeable Fort Worth hit-and-run accident lawyer from Noteboom—The Law Firm.

How Can You Get Compensation Following a Hit-and-Run Accident?

There are many different ways you may be able to receive compensation for your damages following your Fort Worth hit-and-run accident. Having the at-fault driver leave the scene of the accident certainly adds a layer of complexity to the issue of compensation, which is why having an experienced Noteboom lawyer by your side can make all the difference. You need an attorney who will fight for you and your future. Our investigator and the many other resources we have can make a difference in finding the at-fault driver. If the driver cannot be found, those same resources will help you get compensation for your damages from other sources.

Hiring a Fort Worth Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Near You from Noteboom—The Law Firm

Noteboom—The Law Firm has been handling catastrophic loss cases since 1982. We have an impressive record of settling more than 90 percent of our cases for a full and fair amount. Our attorneys and staff simply work harder for our clients. We additionally have every resource necessary for a large-scale dispute. Our team-based approach to resolving our cases renders excellent results for our clients and our superior reputation means we never have to resort to television advertising, as the vast majority of our clients come through referrals. Our belief in our ability to secure the best outcome possible is why we tell potential clients, “If you can find a better law firm, hire them.” Contact Noteboom—The Law Firm today.