If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, the car accident attorneys in Lexington, KY can help you get the money you need to recover. Hit-and-run accidents occur when someone hits your car but does not stay at the scene of the accident as they are required to by law. Fortunately, even if you are unable to identify the driver who harmed you, you can still recover compensation to pay for your losses with the help of an experienced lawyer.
The attorneys at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC have devoted their careers to assisting clients like you who have been through a traumatic experience that has completely changed your life. We stand by ready to help you understand each option in your specific case. As Lexington hit and run accident attorneys, we are experienced in this area of law and are eager to help you strategize about the next steps that make sense for you to obtain compensation. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us for a free case evaluation by calling us at (859) 550-2900
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer after a Hit and Run accident in Lexington, KY?
Hit-and-run accidents are confusing and complicated cases to handle. If a driver fled the scene of the accident, it often means that they aren’t carrying the state-mandated insurance. That means that even if you are able to track them down – which is unlikely in the first place – they still may not be able to cover your losses. Usually in hit-and-run accidents, you will end up filing a claim with your own uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage.
Having a Lexington car accident attorney to help you with this process is essential. Insurance companies make a profit by charging premiums without paying out claims. That means that they will be reluctant to compensate you for your losses, even when you file a claim with your own insurance company. Furthermore, in Kentucky, insurance requires proof of contact between vehicles to pay out uninsured motorist benefits. A lawyer with experience in hit-and-run accidents will know what kinds of evidence to look for and how to present it to meet this requirement. They are also familiar with insurance company tactics and will be able to negotiate with them on your behalf to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you need. They may even be able to help you track down the at-fault driver and try to hold them accountable for their negligence.
Why Choose Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC to Handle My Case?
If you have been injured in a hit and run accident, you want the best chance to recover as much compensation as possible. When choosing an attorney to represent you, it is important to feel confident that the lawyer has the experience necessary to put forth the best case on your behalf. The attorneys at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC belong to a firm that has been around for decades. We are devoted to helping injured people recover the compensation they deserve. We are dedicated to your satisfaction as a client.
Altogether, the team of attorneys at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC has a record of recovering billions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We have a deep level of experience in securing compensation when someone has been wrongfully injured. We have been recognized nationally in publications including the U.S. News and World Report, National Law Journal, Super Lawyers, and Woodward and White’s Best Lawyers in America. Matt Minner, our managing partner, has been named as Best Lawyer’s 2019 Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for the Lexington area. Mr. Minner’s achievement recognizes the high regard that other professionals hold for him in this area of law.
At Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC, the entire team uses its experience to promote the best outcome for you. We have a long record of obtaining verdicts and favorable settlement agreements for our clients. We have recovered millions of dollars for past clients, and we are ready to do the same for you, too.
Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident in Lexington
Hit-and-run accidents are uniquely stressful because you are often left all alone at the scene of the accident. After getting medical attention for your injuries, stay calm and try to take the following steps:
- Report the accident: The first step is to report the accident to police and to your insurance company. This is important for purposes of documenting what happened. The police will make a report and the insurance company will investigate the accident. The sooner you can contact the police after the accident, the more likely it is that the at-fault driver will be located.
- Beware the insurance companies: Even though you must report the accident to your insurance company, do not sign any paperwork from your insurance company (or the other driver’s insurance company, if they are located). Do not provide a recorded statement. If you are asked to do either of these things, contact an attorney for guidance about what you should do.
- Write down your recollection of the accident: It is best to gather your thoughts and write down what you remember happening while it is fresh in your mind. This is another way of creating a record regarding what happened to cause the accident. If you are able in the immediate aftermath from the accident, take pictures of the scene, including any damage to your vehicle and injuries to your person.
- Speak to an attorney: Do not delay to contact an attorney so that you can become informed as to the options available to you and the deadlines for filing a lawsuit. An experienced hit and run car accident attorney can assist you in pursuing the course of action that makes the most sense in your case.
If you have been in a hit-and-run accident, our goal is to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. You may be entitled to damages such as your medical bills and pain and suffering. Pain and suffering can include both physical symptoms and mental effects of the hit-and-run accident. If a hit and run driver negligently injured you, we will strive to recover damages on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accidents in Lexington
Hit-and-run accidents are very stressful and confusing experiences. Below are the answers to some questions we hear often at our office. If you have any specific questions about your accident, do not hesitate to contact us at(859) 550-2900 to schedule a case evaluation.
What if I do not know who hit me?
In Kentucky, which is a choice no-fault car insurance state, you can only sue someone for injuries if you opted out of no-fault, if the accident caused you more than $1000 of medical expenses, or if the accident caused you permanent disability or disfigurement. However, if you cannot identify the at-fault driver, which is the case with many hit-and-run accidents, you won’t be able to sue them at all. Instead, you will need to file a claim with your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
What if I caused the accident?
Kentucky follows what is called a pure comparative negligence system. This means that if you were partly at fault, you can still recover for your damages to the extent the other driver was at fault. Even if you were more at fault than the other driver, Kentucky law still allows you to recover compensation. This means that if you were 55 percent at fault for causing the accident and the hit-and-run driver was 45 percent at fault, you could still recover compensation worth 45 percent of your damages from the other driver. No matter how much each person in an accident was at fault, the system allocates fault between or among everyone involved.
When do I have to file a lawsuit in a hit-and-run accident?
In every state, including Kentucky, statutes of limitation determine how long a person has to file certain types of lawsuits. In Kentucky, if you have been injured in an accident, including a hit-and-run accident, you have one year to bring a lawsuit. Usually, there is no grace period or circumstance that will extend this period of time, and if you do not file on time, your lawsuit could be completely rejected. This means that it is very important to contact a lawyer right away to review the options in your particular case.
Contact Our Car Crash Lawyers in Lexington
If you or a person you love has been the victim of a hit and run accident, contact the Lexington hit and run accident attorneys from Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC as soon as possible. Do not jeopardize your financial future by failing to contact us to pursue a claim for compensation. You can reach us by phone at (859) 550-2900 or by messaging us on this website. After you have consulted with a member of our team, we can get started on your claim to get you the compensation you deserve.
We can also help you fight for compensation if your accident involved any of the following types of car crashes: