Manassas, VA Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

Attorneys Addressing Accidents Caused by Hit-and-Run Drivers in Manassas, Virginia

Being injured in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. However, being injured by a driver who flees the scene of an accident can add another layer of harm. In addition to dealing with injuries and damages, you may be left without the information you need to hold that driver responsible and obtain the full compensation you deserve.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our attorneys represent people hurt by drivers who chose to flee from an accident rather than stop and take responsibility. These cases involve unique challenges, but we know how to address them. From investigating a crash and working to identify the at-fault driver to ensuring that clients can access insurance benefits, we make sure all aspects of these cases will be handled correctly.

Why Drivers May Flee the Scene of Accidents

Understanding why drivers leave the scene of a crash does not excuse their behavior, but it can help shape an investigation into who was responsible and where they might be found.

Intoxication

One of the most common reasons drivers flee is because they are impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of a crash. An intoxicated driver may try to put distance between themselves and law enforcement, hoping that they can avoid being arrested for DUI.

Lack of a Valid License or Insurance

If a driver does not have a valid license because it was never obtained, was suspended, or was revoked, they may try to avoid contact with law enforcement after a crash. The same is true for drivers who have no automobile insurance, since they could face penalties for driving while uninsured.

Outstanding Warrants

A driver who has active arrest warrants may flee an accident scene out of fear that any contact with police will result in their immediate arrest. Attempts to avoid criminal penalties may be more important to them than meeting their legal requirements to provide aid and exchange information with the other driver.

Fear of Consequences

Some drivers may panic in the aftermath of a serious crash, especially if they believe that they were clearly at fault. They may fear that they could face criminal charges or be held liable for causing an accident, and they may flee to try to avoid these consequences. Drivers who are younger or inexperienced may be more likely to panic and flee from an accident.

Unawareness of a Crash

In some cases, a driver may be unaware that they struck another vehicle or person. Some drivers may not notice sideswipe collisions, minor impacts in rear-end collisions, or collisions with pedestrians, especially if they were distracted. However, ignorance does not eliminate liability for the harm caused in an accident.

Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Manassas

The actions taken immediately after a hit-and-run crash may affect a person's ability to identify the responsible driver and their ability to obtain financial compensation. Remaining at or near the scene and calling 911 can ensure that law enforcement officers will come to the scene, document the crash, and determine whether the driver who fled can be identified. Gathering information about the vehicle, including its color, make, model, and a partial or complete license plate number, may help to identify the driver. Photographs of the scene, the damage to a vehicle, and any debris that was left behind can also be helpful.

Receiving prompt medical attention is an important step to take after an accident. This will not only protect a person's health, but it can help ensure that the compensation a person receives will fully address the harm they have suffered. A medical evaluation will create an important record connecting a person's injuries to the accident.

By contacting an attorney as soon as possible, a person can make sure their rights will be protected. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we can act quickly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident to try to locate the at-fault driver, determine what forms of compensation may be available, and advocate on behalf of a victim to ensure that their needs will be met.

How Our Attorneys Work to Identify Hit-and-Run Drivers

Law enforcement agencies have tools for tracking down drivers who flee accidents, but they may not have the full resources needed to locate suspects. Our legal team can conduct an independent investigation to find the driver who was at fault and make sure they will be held responsible for their negligence. During an investigation, we may use evidence such as:

Traffic and Surveillance Camera Footage

Traffic cameras at intersections and major roadways or security cameras at businesses, residences, or public facilities may have captured footage that can be used to identify a vehicle that fled the scene of an accident. This footage may only be kept for a few days or weeks, so we will act quickly to request and preserve it before it is overwritten.

Witness Accounts

Eyewitnesses who saw the crash, observed the fleeing vehicle, or noticed it in the area before or after the accident may have seen details that could be used to identify the driver. Our team will locate and speak with witnesses to get information about what they observed.

Vehicle Debris Analysis

When a vehicle is involved in a crash, it may leave behind paint, glass fragments, pieces of plastic trim, or other debris. By analyzing debris left at the scene, we may be able to determine the make, model, and year of the vehicle, and we can search for similar vehicles that have matching damage.

Social Media and Community Resources

In some cases, information about a hit-and-run driver or their vehicle may be found through social media posts, neighborhood communication platforms, or tips submitted to law enforcement. Our team will monitor these channels and follow up on information that may help identify the person who was responsible for our client's injuries.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Hit-and-Run Cases

Even if a hit-and-run driver cannot be found, an injury victim may receive compensation from other sources. Uninsured motorist coverage, which is required in most automobile insurance policies, can provide benefits when the driver at fault for an accident has no insurance or cannot be identified.

Uninsured motorist coverage can compensate a victim for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses that they could have recovered from the at-fault driver directly. The coverage limits will depend on the specific policy, but our attorneys can review policies and negotiate settlements that will provide our clients with the maximum coverage available.

Navigating Insurance Claims After a Hit-and-Run

Insurance companies that handle uninsured motorist claims have a financial interest in minimizing what they pay. Insurance adjusters will often try to deny claims, offer minimal coverage, or argue that a person's injuries were not serious. Our lawyers can handle every aspect of the insurance claim process, and we will push back against attempts to undervalue or deny claims.

If a hit-and-run driver can be identified, we can ensure that a direct claim is filed against the driver and their insurer. Our team will evaluate all available sources of compensation, and we will work to ensure that our clients' damages will be fully addressed in the compensation they receive.

Contact Our Manassas Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys

A driver who fled the scene of an accident should not be allowed to escape accountability. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we can investigate a crash, determine whether the driver can be identified, and make sure a victim will be made whole. We understand the difficulties that hit-and-run victims may face, and we will fight for the compensation and accountability they deserve. Contact our Manassas, VA hit-and-run accident lawyers at 703-392-6686 to arrange a free consultation with us.