Know Your Rights with the help of an experienced hit and run attorney
If you or someone you know has been a victim of an accident, The Law Offices of Andrew Dosa’s hit and run attorney in Alameda in CA is here to provide the legal guidance and support you need.
Our team of experienced legal professionals at The Law Offices of Andrew Dosa possesses a deep understanding of hit and run laws, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of justice.
We will investigate every aspect of the situation, gather evidence, and develop a compelling case for you. We want to hold wrongdoers accountable and get you fair compensation for medical bills, property damage, mental suffering, and more.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards reclaiming control of your life after a hit and run incident.
What is Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver leaves the scene without fulfilling their legal duties. These duties normally include helping wounded people, sharing contact and insurance information with other drivers, and reporting the collision to authorities.
Hit-and-run accidents can involve two automobiles, a pedestrian or cyclist, or a stationary item. One party escapes, leaving property damage, injuries, or deaths.
Types of Catastrophic Injury in a Hit and Run Accident
A hit and run collision can cause catastrophic injuries, which can have long-term effects on a person’s physical, emotional, and financial health. The type of vehicles, speed, and site of impact can affect the severity and form of these injuries.
Here are some common catastrophic injuries in hit-and-run accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): This include concussions, diffuse axonal damage, and traumatic brain hemorrhages. Injury can cause cognitive impairments, memory loss, mood disorders, and motor skill deficits.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe impacts can injure the spinal cord, causing paralysis, loss of sensation, and neurological impairments. Quadriplegia results from spinal cord damage higher up, while paraplegia results from lower injuries.
- Amputations: High-impact collisions can cause severe injuries requiring amputation. Losing a limb is physically and mentally devastating.
- Multiple Fractures: High-speed collisions can result in multiple bone fractures, which can require extensive surgeries and long periods of rehabilitation.
- Organ Damage: Internal organs can be injured due to the force of impact, leading to serious complications and the need for surgical intervention.
- Severe Burns: In hit and run accidents, fires or explosions can cause serious burns that require medical attention and often leave lifelong scars.
- Crush Injuries: Being trapped between vehicles or other objects can cause crush injuries, which can result in damage to muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and bones.
- Internal Bleeding: Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Psychological and emotional trauma can result from catastrophic injuries for both the body and mind. The emotional trauma of a life-changing accident can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
- Long-term Disability: Many catastrophic accidents lead to lifelong disabilities that hinder jobs, daily activities, and quality of life.
It’s crucial to note that these injuries might have lasting impacts on the victim and their loved ones. After a hit-and-run accident, you and your loved ones must seek medical assistance and consult legal and medical professionals for proper treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation.
Texas as an At-fault State
In Texas, being a “at-fault” state extends to hit and run accidents as well. Texas hit and run accidents are subject to the same liability and compensation rules as other car accidents.
Here’s how Texas handles hit and run accidents within its at-fault insurance framework:
- Liability Determination: Determining liability in a hit and run collision can be difficult if the at-fault vehicle departs without providing information. However, Texas law compels at-fault parties to be held accountable. If the fleeing driver is identified later, they are still accountable for the accident.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: In hit and run accidents, the at-fault driver may be unknown or lack appropriate insurance coverage. In Texas, vehicle insurance policies offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage can help you recover damages and injuries from an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.
- Compensation: To receive compensation for a hit-and-run collision, your insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage may apply if the at-fault driver is not identified. This coverage helps you recoup accident-related costs like medical bills and vehicle repairs.
- Reporting the Incident: To report a hit-and-run accident in Texas, contact the police immediately. Law enforcement can investigate the event if you provide details about the other car, license plate number (if feasible), and witnesses.
- Legal Implications: In Texas, fleeing the scene of an accident is a serious offense with severe consequences if the offending motorist is located. These punishments might include fines, license suspension, and criminal prosecution, depending on the accident’s damages and injuries.
If you’re dealing with a hit and run accident in Texas, it’s advisable to consult legal experts or your insurance provider for the most current and accurate guidance based on the latest laws and regulations.
Who Needs A Hit and Run Lawyer in Alameda, CA?
A hit and run lawyer can be essential for various individuals who have been involved in hit and run incidents.
Here’s a breakdown of who might need a hit and run lawyer:
- Victims of Hit and Run Accidents: Hit and run accident victims, including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and passengers, might benefit from a personal injury lawyer to guide them through the legal procedure. They can help you recover medical bills, property damage, pain, and other losses.
- Drivers Accused of Hit and Run: For drivers suspected of hit and run, a lawyer can protect your rights and defend you against criminal charges, even if you believe you were not at fault or unaware of the event.
- Families of Hit and Run Victims: If a family member was critically hurt or died in a hit and run incident, a lawyer can help pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. They might seek compensation for burial costs, medical bills, economic loss, and mental suffering.
Any victim or accused in a hit-and-run situation can benefit from a lawyer’s knowledge. These professionals can handle complex hit-and-run cases and advise clients to attain the best results.
What Should I Do After a Hit and Run Accident?
Experiencing a hit and run accident can be distressing, but it’s important to stay calm and take certain steps to ensure your safety, gather information, and protect your legal rights.
Here’s what you should do after a hit and run accident:
- Stay Calm and Ensure Safety: Check passengers and yourself for injuries. If necessary, seek medical attention. If your car is blocking traffic, relocate it to a safe place. Turn on your hazard lights and place flares or triangles to warn other traffic.
- Call for Help: Call the police to report the hit-and-run. Inform them of the incident’s location, time, and other vehicle’s description. Injuries require quick medical attention. They will draft an official accident report and do some additional investigations.
- Gather Information: If it’s safe to do so, gather information about the hit and run vehicle, such as its make, model, color, license plate number, and any distinguishing features. Take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and any visible damage.
- Talk to Witnesses: If there were witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information. They might be able to provide valuable information about the incident.
- Document the Scene: Note the accident’s direction, time, road conditions, and other data. Take pictures of the scene, vehicle damage, and debris with your phone or camera.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company about the hit and run accident as soon as possible. Provide them with the information you’ve gathered.
- Consult with an Attorney: Consult with a hit and run attorney if you or your vehicle have been severely damaged or injured. They can explain your legal rights, help you file a claim, and get you compensation.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep copies of all documentation related to the accident, including police reports, medical records, and communication with insurance companies.
Remember that each hit and run case can be different, so it’s important to follow these steps to the best of your ability while considering your safety.
Call our California Hit and Run Lawyer Now!
After a hit and run accident, you need legal help to get justice and compensation. The Law Offices of Andrew Dosa offer skilled and dedicated legal counsel. Our team understands hit and run situations and will guide you through the legal process.
Apart from hit and run, we also offer legal advice on services such as motorcycle accdent, wrongful death, and truck accident.
Let us help you regain control, seek justice, and work towards a brighter future. Your road to recovery starts here.