Hit & Run Accidents

Illinois Law and Hit & Run Accidents

Hit & run accidents are a serious problem across the United States. A hit-and-run accident occurs when there is a collision and one of the drivers takes off, leaving the accident scene before law enforcement arrives. According to AAA Motor Club, a hit-and-run incident occurred once every minute in the U.S. back in 2018. In the state of Illinois, the penalties for a hit & run accident are severe depending on the severity of the injuries and circumstances of the incident.

Car accidents with an unattended parked car result in a misdemeanor charge for the hit-and-run driver, but car crashes involving serious injury or even wrongful death can lead to even more severe criminal charges against the at-fault party. Fleeing the scene of an accident that has left someone with serious injuries is a Class 4 felony. The penalties include imprisonment between one to three years and fines up to $25,000. Your license may also be revoked.

While the criminal court system will prosecute hit & run crashes, many car accident victims are left scrambling trying to cover medical bills or the cost of damage to their vehicle. This can even lead to emotional distress brought on by the accident. That’s why the help of a personal injury lawyer is needed to track down the at-fault party to get compensation for this serious hit. As part of the attorney-client relationship, your experienced hit & run accident lawyer in Chicago will evaluate the police crash report, as well as your medical records, to figure out the best legal options for your personal injury case. The right legal advice will help you get the money you deserve to cover your medical bills and additional damages.

Collecting Damages in a Hit and Run

When you are injured in a hit-and-run accident, your own insurance company may be responsible for paying for your damages. It is highly probable that your insurance company will not offer this information up and will make collecting full compensation as difficult as possible.

The Chicago hit & run accident attorneys at our firm have years of experience dealing with insurers and the tactics they use to avoid a maximum payout to an accident victim. We know exactly what needs to be done to ensure our clients are provided with everything they need to recover.

Being involved in a hit-and-run accident does not mean you are helpless. One of our esteemed Chicago hit & run lawyers can provide you with a free case evaluation, and examine the details of your car accident along with your current insurance policy. This can help you determine everything that you may be entitled to in terms of financial compensation. Going it alone puts you at the mercy of insurance companies. Our hit & run accident attorneys will do whatever it takes to help ensure you and your family members are provided with the maximum compensation you are due.