After you have been injured in a vehicle collision, you reserve the right to seek financial compensation from the party responsible for the accident. However, if the at-fault driver fled the scene of the accident, you may be unsure of how you could hold him or her accountable.
Hit-and-run accidents in Johnstown are complicated civil cases that require the skill and experience of a legal professional. If you were struck by a negligent driver who then fled the scene of the accident, speak with a well-practiced Johnstown car crash attorney about your legal options for recovery.
People may leave the scene of a vehicle accident for the simple reason that they are in a hurry and do not believe they have to give the other person their information. However, people may flee the scene of a wreck for other reasons. For instance, if someone has prior accidents on his or her record and is afraid of losing his or her license, the individual may flee the scene of a collision.
Another cause of a hit-and-run is distraction. If a motorist is speeding and not paying attention to his or her surroundings, he or she may unknowingly strike another vehicle and keep driving. Furthermore, a driver may leave the scene of a wreck in Johnstown because he or she does not have auto insurance.
The most unique aspect of a hit-and-run wreck in the area is the absence of a defendant. This means the claimant is unable to make a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, since the claimant cannot identify that driver. Most Uninsured Motorist policies require that the claimant notify the police so that an investigation can be conducted so as to attempt to identify and locate the at-fault driver.
In many of these cases, the plaintiff will have to make a claim under his or her own Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM). This is coverage for situations where the defendant driver is either unknown or uninsured
In a hit and run case, the damages that are available under Pennsylvania law are the same as the damages are available in any other car accident case. This includes both economic and non-economic losses. However, the value of the claim are limited to the amount of the claimant’s Uninsured Motorist coverage on his or her own auto insurance policy.
Uninsured Motorist coverage is relatively inexpensive to obtain, yet it can provide a world of difference in the event of an accident involving an uninsured driver.
While any vehicle wreck is stressful, it can be especially challenging when you do not know who is responsible for your injuries. People harmed in hit-and-run accidents in Johnstown deserve full and fair compensation for the harm they suffered.
If you were involved in such a collision, consider speaking with an accomplished attorney at Marcus & Mack. Our team is well-practiced in personal injury cases and could use this experience to help you seek the financial recovery you are owed. Call our office right away and schedule your first case evaluation for free. We look forward to speaking with you.
