Being involved in any type of motor vehicle collision is frustrating enough. Even more upsetting, though, is being hit by a reckless or careless driver who immediately flees the accident scene.
If you or a loved one find yourself in this situation and are unsure what to do, reach out to one of the dedicated car crash attorneys at The Reaves Law Firm, PLLC. Our team of seasoned lawyers have experience with hit-and-run accidents in Jackson, and we have the knowledge and the tools to pursue the negligent driver and hold them financially accountable for your losses.
A hit-and-run accident occurs when the person who is responsible for the crash flees the scene prior to exchanging contact information with other parties or meeting with the police. A negligent driver may immediately speed away, or in some situations if their vehicle is not drivable or if there is a lot of traffic congestion, they may abandon their car and run away on foot. Either way, a hit-and-run is when someone causes a collision and then leaves the scene before talking to anyone.
Importantly though, for a crash to be considered a hit-and-run in Jackson, there does actually have to be contact with the other vehicle. For instance, if a driver’s reckless or actions causes another driver to swerve to avoid an accident, causing that driver to collide with another vehicle or a curb, and the at-fault driver flees the scene, that would not be considered a hit-and-run. There must be contact between a negligent driver’s vehicle and another vehicle, followed by the at-fault driver fleeing the scene, for a wreck to be considered a hit-and-run.
Much of the time when hit-and-run accidents happen in Jackson, the negligent driver flees the scene because they:
No matter their reasoning though, fleeing the scene of a crime is illegal and a capable attorney in Jackson could help an injured person pursue a defendant driver and hold them accountable.
Hit-and-run crashes are different than other types of auto accidents in Jackson in that it can be difficult to pursue a personal injury claim without a named defendant driver. Thus, it is crucial for an injured party to write down or take a picture of the negligent driver’s license plate number, if possible. This could help law enforcement track down the owner of the vehicle and determine whether it belongs to the at-fault driver, or if it was stolen. If it belongs to the negligent driver, then an injured party can hold them accountable for their actions in court, with the help of a well-practiced at The Reaves Law Firm, PLLC. If not, police at the very least have a lead and can investigate further to determine who is responsible.
Hit-and-run accidents are also unique in that if a defendant driver has existing criminal charges against them, it will be more difficult to get the incident report and other information because the police do not like to release information on an ongoing investigation to the public.
An experienced legal professional could explore all possible coverage options for an injured person involved in a hit-and-run crash in Jackson. If they identity of the negligent driver is known, a proactive lawyer at our firm could investigate to see if they have uninsured motorist coverage, if someone in their household has uninsured motorist coverage that may apply, or if there is any other source of insurance coverage that could get an injured person the compensation they need to recover.
Additionally, any case information will be made available to an attorney first. So, things such as the initial police report, the defendant’s license plate number, or even traffic camera footage will be made available to the legal professional working the case to examine and use as evidence in their case. Thus, working with a local attorney gives an injured person the upper hand and allows them to get started on their claim immediately following a hit-and-run collision in Jackson.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Jackson, do not delay in seeking legal counsel. One of the diligent lawyers at The Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could help you demand compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Call today so we can get started on your case.
