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What to do after a hit and run accident? After a hit and run accident, you need to call 911, seek medical care for yourself and others in the accident, exchange information with the other driver(s) who did stay at the scene, document the scene for evidence, and contact a Rhode Island car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Following all of this guidance can help you stay within the law to avoid any fault of your own, start on the path to recovery sooner and smoother, and it can help you get the most out of your own insurance and the insurance of the hit and run driver, should they be found. Do not let a hit and run accident leave you with more questions than answers by connecting with an experienced attorney.
Rhode Island Laws About Hit and Run Accidents
A hit and run is a serious situation that can leave you wondering where you will get the money and resources to recover your damages. That is why R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-1 and R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-2 codified a driver’s duty to remain at an accident scene that had injuries or property damage. Anyone who flees commits a misdemeanor that could see hundreds of dollars in fines and time behind bars.
There is also a limited amount of time to file a claim for a hit and run if you were injured or if your property sustained damage. For a claim regarding injury or even death of a loved one, you have three years to file.
There are stipulations for more specific cases found in R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1, specifically as laid out in R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-36, that could apply to your case if there are multiple liable parties or the hit and run driver was part of a local or state government entity.
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What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident If The Other Driver Is Never Found
As time goes by and the other driver who fled is never found, you may be wondering what to do after a hit and run accident with no one to hold liable. There are options available to you that your attorney can help you secure.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
You may be able to utilize uninsured motorist coverage from your own insurance for a hit and run. While you are allowed to effectively reject it, R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-7-2.1 requires insurance companies to at least offer this coverage that includes coverage if you are a victim of a hit and run accident. This could make up for a completely missing liable party.
Your Own Personal Injury and Collision Coverage
Having your own insurance policy is not only required, but could keep you afloat in the absence of finding the hit and run driver. If you get sufficient coverage, you could see thousands of dollars flow your way. After a hit and run accident, you will want to have an attorney talk to your insurance so that they do not try to send you less money than you deserve.
Why Immediate Action is Important in Hit and Run Accidents
If you call 911 quickly enough after your accident and tell them that the other driver left the scene, there is a much higher likelihood that law enforcement officers can track down the fleeing driver. Waiting mere minutes longer could mean the difference between actually finding them or having to pursue other avenues to recover your damages.
Also, after a hit and run accident, you should contact a Rhode Island car accident lawyer to get them working on getting you back to your normal life. A lawyer can make sure insurance does not take advantage of you and that we do not miss out on key evidence that may get away while you recover from injuries. An early offer from insurance is often too low, and evidence is often hard to come by if it is too late.
Your recovery may take a lot of time and effort. If you are able to get an attorney working on your case early, you can focus on getting better while we work on your case. Utilizing all the time available can ensure that we do not miss the filing deadline of Rhode Island’s statute of limitations.
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Talk to Your Attorney About the Damages You Can Seek
If you are wondering what to do after a hit and run accident regarding damages to claim, talking with a hit and run attorney in Rhode Island can help you find the damages appropriate for your case. Here are a few you may consider.
- Medical expenses – hospital bills, doctor visits, surgery, medication, physical therapy
- Lost wages – relative to the time you miss out on working due to injuries
- Loss of earning capacity – your ability to earn an income is inhibited by injuries
- Property damage – for example, your vehicle and personal belongings
- Replacement transportation costs – rideshare or rental car, the towing of your original car
It may be very difficult to pursue punitive damages in hit and run cases. While they would likely be guilty of a misdemeanor, the circumstances of your case would have to be fairly extreme to bring criminal charges against them. Find out from a Rhode Island personal injury lawyer what is right for you.
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Let a Hit and Run Attorney in Rhode Island Take Care of Your Case
The questions of what to do after a hit and run accident or how to handle injuries after a car accident do not have to go unanswered. Taking action with a Rhode Island hit and run lawyer from Gemma Law can be your ticket to recovering damages.
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