Tag: hit and run

How Do Insurance Companies Handle “Hit-and-Run” Incidents?

Written by kwmlaw on August 11, 2022. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Consider this scenario: You’re driving home from work during rush hour traffic. Suddenly, a car rear-ends you. Before you can react, you notice the car that hit you is speeding off into traffic. You’ve just been involved in a “hit-and-run” incident. What can you do? You have auto insurance, but how does your insurance company handle this situation?

First, gather as much information as possible. If you notice the car speeding off, write down the make, model, and license plate number. These details can help police locate the driver and can also help your insurance company decide your claim. If there are witnesses that have stopped to help, ask for their names and contact information so that they can help you verify your claim. Make a note of the time and location in which the accident took place, and take pictures of your vehicle.

If you can eventually identify the driver that hit you, you can obtain their insurance information and file a claim through their insurance. If you or the police are unable to locate the driver, or if the driver is uninsured, you may have to file a claim with your insurance company and seek coverage through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

North Carolina law requires that auto insurance policies include uninsured motorist coverage equal to the state minimum liability coverage limits, which are currently $30,000.00 for bodily injuries per person, $60,000.00 for bodily injuries to more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage. Additional uninsured motorist coverage can be purchased from your insurance company.

We recommend that you have $1,000,000.00 of uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage will protect you, anyone riding with you, and any family member who is riding in someone else’s car in the event that the person that caused the wreck has no insurance. You will find that once you buy a little bit of this type of coverage, buying say ten times more will only cost about two or three times (not ten times) as much, so purchasing the additional coverage is not nearly as expensive as you might think. Talk to your insurance agent now, as you should not have to wait for your policy to renew to add this coverage.

If you have been a victim of a hit-and-run, Kelly & West is experienced in handling these cases. Contact us today to see how we can ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Victim of a Hit and Run? Here’s What To Do.

Written by kwmlaw on February 11, 2020. Posted in DWI & Traffic Lawyer and Legal Services, Kelly & West News.

In the state of North Carolina, drivers have a duty to stop and exchange information in the event of a crash. A hit and run is when another person causes damage to your vehicle and then immediately flees the scene, leaving you to care for any damage on your own. Being a victim of a hit and run can be a very costly and stressful situation. If it happens to you, follow these steps to handle the situation the best way possible.

Call for Help

The first thing you should do after getting into a collision is to call 911 if you are injured or call the police to the scene to investigate if you are not injured. Even if the damage isn’t severe, you’ll want to file a police report. It is possible that they might be able to catch the person that hit you if you give them enough information, and the quicker you report the accident the more likely it is that the authorities can track down the other party.

Collect as Much Information as Possible

Being involved in a collision is stressful, and can be disorienting. So, be alert as possible to your surroundings after you have been hit. The more information you can gather, the more the authorities can help you and potentially find the person that hit you.

Information to Collect

License plate number
Make, model, color, and approximate year of the car
Description of the driver
Time and location of the collision

You’ll want to note the context in which the accident took place and take pictures of any injuries or damage to your car for reference. Witnesses are a great resource, so if you see anyone near you, get their contact information.

Stay at the Location

Remaining at the scene gives first responders and emergency vehicles the best context for what happened. Only move your car if it is causing danger to you or others or if it is blocking an intersection or road. The damage caused by a collision might be more severe than it looks, so moving your car might damage your car more or even harm you. If you decide that it is best to move your car, move it to the side of the road as close to the scene of the collision as possible.

Contact Your Insurance Company

It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the claim. Insurance claims can take a long time to process so you want to get the process started. Insurance companies also want the most accurate information, so updating them quickly after is best. Your insurance company will want just as much information, if not more, than the emergency services. Be prepared to send pictures of the damage to make sure your needs are cared for completely.

Be prepared for a car accident by downloading our free car accident response guide (pdf).

Hit-and-Run Wrecks

Written by kwmlaw on April 23, 2014. Posted in Areas of Experience, Personal Injury Lawyer and Legal Services.

Raleigh Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in an accident by a driver who struck your vehicle and then flees the scene, you are entitled to present an uninsured motorist claim under your automobile insurance policy. Your insurance carrier will be required to pay compensation to you for your injuries, except that it will not be required to pay for property damage to your vehicle unless the driver of the other vehicle was identified.

Investigating the Accident

A proper investigation will be necessary in order to prove that your injuries were caused as a result of the negligence of some other driver. For this reason, it is important to act quickly and gather all necessary information, including the names of any witnesses to the accident, and to ensure that a thorough and accurate police report is prepared. To protect your interest, it is best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.

If you would like to talk with our experienced and caring Raleigh hit-and-run attorney, please contact us.