If you have been hit by a driver who fled the scene, you may have questions about how to pay for your medical bills and your car repairs. Unfortunately, many Coloradans sustain serious injuries each year as victims of hit-and-run accidents. Even if the hit-and-run driver who struck you remains unidentified, you may still have options for seeking compensation for your medical bills and other losses.
Our injury attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm bring decades of experience to handling injury claims involving hit-and-run drivers in Denver and throughout Colorado. Let an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney review the details of your accident during a free case review and discuss your legal options. You should not be financially liable for expenses caused by an irresponsible hit-and-run driver. Owner-attorney Robert Wilhite and The Wilhite Law Firm take pride in the Heritage of Justice we have established by successfully serving thousands of injured Coloradans in 40 years of practice.
Contact us today for a free consultation after a hit-and-run car accident in Denver. If you or your loved one is struggling to recover from serious injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver and your insurer is being uncooperative, our attorneys are here to fight for you. Let our attorneys discuss how we can assist you. There is no fee unless we obtain compensation for you.
What Defines A Hit-and-Run Accident in Colorado?
Colorado law requires any driver who is involved in a traffic accident involving damage to a vehicle to stop and remain at the scene of the accident and exchange driver’s license and registration information with others involved. But some drivers panic after a collision and speed off. A hit-and-run driver may be intoxicated, impaired, or uninsured and attempt to avoid legal responsibility for his or her actions.
Any driver who flees the scene of an accident may be charged with a misdemeanor. A driver who leaves the scene of an accident involving serious injury or fatal injury in Colorado may face a felony charge. In 2017, Colorado lawmakers approved a change in law, allowing police to seize the driver’s license of any suspected hit-and-run driver.
In Denver, approximately 35 percent of traffic fatalities are pedestrians. People crossing the road on foot or walking beside the road are often struck by hit-and-run drivers. In 2016, one in five pedestrians was fatally injured in crashes that involved high-and-run drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Alcohol is a factor in many pedestrian hit-and-run accidents in Denver.
Coloradans who have been harmed by hit-and-run drivers need an experienced personal injury attorney to assist them in recovering appropriate compensation for injuries. Accident victims may have questions about where to turn for help. Let the Wilhite Law Firm help.
Do I Have an Insurance Claim After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Colorado?
If you are injured or your vehicle is damaged by a hit-and-run driver who remains unidentified, then you may make a claim against your own auto insurance policy.
Colorado law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist protection (UM/UIM) as part of each auto insurance policy. Unless you chose to decline uninsured motorist coverage, you should have UM/UIM insurance coverage.
If you are struck by a driver who flees the accident scene and remains unidentified, then uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM or UMBI) coverage pays for your bodily injuries and those of your passenger. Uninsured motorist property damage covers damage to your car if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver.
If your insurance company disputes your Denver hit-and-run claim or acts in bad faith, you may have to sue your insurance company to get them to honor the terms of the policy. Our attorneys are experienced negotiators who deal with insurance companies every day.
What Can I Do About a Hit and Run?
You will need to document the details of the hit-and-run accident for the police and your insurance company. You should stop where the accident occurred and report to the police that you were struck by a hit-and-run driver. Wait for the police to arrive.
Try to provide the following information:
- The make, model, and color of the vehicle driven by the hit-and-run driver
- License plate number
- The direction the hit-and-run driver was headed
- Any damage observed on the hit-and-run vehicle
- Photos of damage to your vehicle
- Location, time, and cause of the accident
Hit-and-run accidents in Denver happen without warning. It is not always possible to get a good look at the hit-and-run driver. Try to identify any eyewitnesses. Any eyewitness may be able to provide additional information about the hit-and-run driver.
Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle. Look for any signs of the other vehicle’s paint on your car.
You should report to the police that you were struck by a hit-and-run driver. Having a police report of the hit-and-run accident is helpful.
A driver or pedestrian who is injured by a hit-and-run driver may seek reimbursement for medical expenses and vehicle repairs through the uninsured motorist coverage of his or her auto insurance policy.
What’s Next After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Denver?
We understand that you may feel upset and stressed if you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run car accident in Denver and your insurance company is being unhelpful. You may be unsure of your legal rights to seek compensation. Most people who come to The Wilhite Law Firm are in similar predicaments. They have never been in a serious personal injury accident and are unsure how to proceed.
During a free consultation, a personal injury attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm will review the details of your accident at no charge and provide an informed perspective about whether you have a valid claim. If your hit-and-run accident case is the type that The Wilhite Law Firm handles, our legal team will offer to handle your case on a contingency fee basis. We will investigate the accident and deal with the insurance company. There is no legal fee owed unless our attorneys are successful in obtaining money for you through a negotiated settlement or a jury award. Contact us today to get started.
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