Car accidents can cause serious injuries and expensive property damage, and the driver responsible for causing an accident should be held accountable. This is especially true when there is a driver who fled the scene of an accident. Whether that driver was trying to duck responsibility or simply panicked, they can be found and they should be sued for compensation. A car accident lawyer in Queens can help you do that.
What Should I Do When a Driver Flees the Accident Scene?
Things can go a bit differently when you are dealing with a driver who fled the scene of your accident. You should still call the cops and take pictures of the accident scene, but you should also write down a description of the fleeing vehicle and its driver. Good information to get can include:
- The approximate age of the driver
- The driver’s race and gender
- The color of the car
- Its make and model
- Where the car is damaged
- The license plate number
The more information you can get about the driver who fled the scene, the easier it can be to track them down.
How Can I Sue a Driver Who Fled the Scene?
If the driver who fled the scene is caught, you can sue them for compensation. Things would work out just like any other personal injury case. The difference is that this driver would also be likely to face criminal charges in addition to a lawsuit.
What Type of Compensation Can I Win?
Your compensation should help you cover all of the expenses stemming from your accident. This can include:
- Your medical bills
- The cost of future medical care
- Any wages you lost out on as a result of missed work
- Pain from disfigurement or disability
- Mental anguish
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
A fair compensation offer addresses the monetary costs of an accident as well as the psychic toll it can take on you and your family members.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know About Suing a Driver Who Fled the Scene?
When suing a driver who fled the scene, you should be aware of a few potential scenarios and how they could play out. You could end up in a situation where:
The driver is not found: You cannot sue a driver you cannot find, unfortunately. This means that you will have to rely on your own insurance coverage to pay for your medical bills and property damages.
The driver has no insurance: In some cases, the driver who fled a scene did so because they did not have insurance. A driver without insurance can be harder to sue for damages because they simply may not have any resources to go after.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
You can hold a driver who fled the scene accountable and an experienced personal injury attorney from our firm can help you do that. Contact the Law Offices of George Poulos and schedule a consultation. We would love to tell you more about how we can help during the legal process.
