Hit and Run Accidents
Legal Representation for Victims of Motorcycle Hit and Run Injuries
There are few accidents more dangerous or upsetting than a hit and run accident. Getting into any kind of motorcycle collision is serious enough, of course, but the stakes grow inexorably higher when the assailant flees the scene without exchanging any information. In many cases, incidents of this sort can lead to criminal charges and significant fines against the other driver. In cases involving catastrophic injuries or major property damage, however, jail time is almost certain. It is not uncommon to feel helpless in the wake of an anonymous attack like this, but it is equally important to seize the reins, contact a Phoenix hit and run motorcycle accident lawyer and act to defend yourself.
We know just how traumatizing and debilitating these crashes can be. You may assume that if there is no one to hold accountable for your injuries, then you don’t have many options. That simply is not the case. An experienced hit and run accident attorney will be able to find the right sources of compensation for you and fight to make sure you recover as much in damages as possible. If you were injured after a hit and run while riding a motorcycle, contact The Husband & Wife Law Team.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run?
Job one is to stabilize your own health, of course, particularly if you aren't yet sure of the extent of your motorcycle hit and run injuries. Shock and adrenaline can mask the pain of even more severe injuries. Even if you think you are fine, chances are you are not, especially if you were riding a motorcycle. If you can’t call for an ambulance for any reason, try to ask someone near you to call for one on your behalf. Nothing is more important than your health and safety.
If you are lucid and able, however, you will also want to pay close attention to everything you see, including the make, model, and partial plate of your assailant. Take photos of the scene, as well as any obvious injuries. This kind of evidence will be incredibly helpful for your claim later on. If you cannot gather such information at the scene, don't worry. Good forensic techniques and the possibility of surveillance or eyewitness testimony may help to catch your assailant quickly. Your bike may also have clues, such as paint scrapings, that help identify the assailant at a later time.
A hit and run accident isn’t the end of the world. While illegal, they are also fairly common, and the Arizona police are well equipped in finding the at-fault party. On top of that, a good attorney can run an in-depth investigation into your accident, potentially digging up clues that could help your claim and allow you to recover full compensation.
Why Would Someone Flee a Collision?
We are all taught that when involved in an accident, we should pull over, make sure the other driver is okay, and exchange information. It’s a basic tenant of driving. Sadly, not everyone wants to be held accountable for their mistakes. Some people flee accidents because they do not want to have to pay for the damages they caused. This is especially true in motorcycle accident cases, as motorcycle riders are often left with far more severe injuries than those driving cars.
Other people may flee because they are driving without insurance, which is illegal in Arizona. They may believe that they are saving themselves from possible punishment for breaking the law. They, of course, neglect to realize that a hit and run is taken far more seriously than driving without insurance.
Still, others may flee simply because they do not care. They prioritize themselves over the people they possibly hurt, caring more about staying out of trouble and getting to their final destination than about doing the right thing and helping others. Whatever their reasons, chances are they will be caught and will have the face the music either way.
Who is Responsible for My Injuries?
Once the offending parties have been identified and charged, it is time to recover what you deserve. Many of these cases proceed like conventional personal injury cases past this point, meaning you will pursue damages for any number of expenses: medical care, medical therapy, loss of income, loss of productivity, and pain and suffering. This last category may increase significantly in the wake of a hit and run, however, as the trauma of being injured by such a grossly negligent party can inspire juries to assign major punitive damages.
Always keep track of your expenses following a collision, especially a hit and run accident. It may be easy to assume that you will never be able to file a claim against the responsible party, but it is entirely possible the at-fault driver will be caught. Holding on to old pay stubs, medical records and bills, and mechanics fees can help increase your compensation, as it puts a firm price-tag on the damages you suffered.
Recovering Damages After A Motorcycle Hit and Run
In Arizona, auto insurance companies are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage. This kind of policy can help protect you in the case of a hit and run accident, as you can file a claim with your own insurance provider rather than with the at-fault party’s insurance. We always recommend that people get an uninsured motorist policy, as it can be a lifesaver in hit and run scenarios. However, as it isn’t legally required in Arizona, you may not have such a policy.
Without an uninsured motorist policy in place, it may be difficult to recover any damages. Don’t lose hope, however. As it is always possible the at-fault driver will be caught, allowing you to hold them responsible. It is also possible that there may be other sources you can draw compensation from. We recommend that you seek advice from an experienced hit and run attorney who can help lay out just what your options are.
Motorcycle Hit and Run Accident Review
Our client was driving his motorcycle on US 93 when a reckless driver crashed into him and fled the scene. Our client suffered serious injuries, including two different breaks in his back, broken ribs, and severe damage to his arm. He had to undergo numerous surgeries, ranging from the installment of rods into his back to the transfer of nerves from his leg into his arm to try to regain use of it. As a result, our client had significant recovery time and eventually had to be placed on permanent disability. What made this particular case difficult was the fact that the at-fault driver was never found. That didn’t stop us. We went to work to find uninsured/underinsured coverage for our client and demanded the full policy limits. Not only did we end up reducing his medical bills, but we got a large settlement for our client and his family.W.L. v. MetLife Insurance
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Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
It all starts with retaining an effective motorcycle crash attorney at The Husband & Wife Law Team. Waging and winning cases like these takes a particular combination of forensic technique, legal expertise, and uncommon dedication. The Husband & Wife Law Team has been advocating for the victims of hit and run accidents throughout Phoenix and beyond since 1996, and today our rate of success is 98%. If you want to speak with an aggressive and compassionate motorcycle crash attorney right away, contact us today.