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Being hit in an accident is already a scary and stressful experience. However, when a driver flees the scene, it makes the situation even more complicated. A Hamden hit-and-run accident lawyer can help victims understand their rights after an accident when a driver refuses to stop or leave behind contact information. These car accidents can leave individuals with medical bills, repair costs, and questions about who may ultimately be held accountable.
At Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., we serve clients and families in Hamden, throughout New Haven County, and in other communities all over Connecticut. Our lawyers have decades of collective experience managing personal injury claims for individuals who have been harmed as a result of motor vehicle accidents and other negligent behavior.
We understand the difficulties you may face after a serious accident. Our mission is to guide you through the legal process while you focus on getting the information and help you need to recover.
Over 919,000 police-reported crashes in 2023 were hit-and-runs, according to a study released by AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety. According to the report, those collisions caused 2,872 fatalities and 242,000 injuries nationwide.
When a driver strikes another vehicle, a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or property and leaves the scene without stopping to fulfill legal duties, it’s called a hit-and-run accident. These accidents can involve property damage or cause serious injuries to victims.
Hit-and-run accidents occur too often in Connecticut. Hamden’s main roads see constant traffic, day and night. Sections of Route 10 and adjacent entrances to Interstate 91 and Route 15 tend to be especially dangerous. When drivers strike another vehicle or property and leave the scene, victims may not know where to turn to recover compensation to cover their bills.
Seeking information about the at-fault driver can be difficult after a hit-and-run accident. However, there may be other ways to recover compensation through insurance.
Drivers might leave the scene of an accident for various reasons. Some may believe that they can avoid criminal charges and financial responsibility by fleeing before someone identifies their car. Drivers commonly flee the scene because they:
Regardless of the motivation, hit-and-run accidents are illegal in Connecticut and can result in serious consequences.
In Connecticut, multiple laws address hit-and-run accidents and help protect victims. Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-224, drivers are legally obligated to stop if they’ve been in an accident causing injury, death, or property damage. Anyone involved in an accident must share their name, address, and car registration, and make sure injured parties receive appropriate aid. Violators can face criminal misdemeanor charges and may go to jail if convicted.
Connecticut General Statutes § 38a-336 requires insurance companies to provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to anyone who purchases auto insurance in Connecticut. Because many hit-and-run drivers are never located, this law can help provide compensation to injured victims who would otherwise be unable to recover damages from the driver who caused the accident.
Hit-and-run drivers in Hamden, Connecticut can face severe consequences if they leave the scene of an accident. Depending on the details of the crash, drivers who flee the scene may be charged with a crime and have their license suspended or revoked. In addition to criminal charges, a driver may be liable for costs associated with injuries and damage to other property. Hit-and-run penalties are typically harsher when serious injury or death occurs.
Accident victims often hire a hit-and-run accident lawyer to address unique legal issues and insurance concerns. When the liable party cannot be found right away, victims may need to seek compensation from their insurance policy.
Hit-and-run cases can require extensive evidence of injuries, losses, and accident details. A Hamden hit-and-run accident attorney can help you navigate the claims process and advise you on how your insurance policy might apply.
Yes, when involved in a hit-and-run accident, passengers can sometimes recover compensation for their injuries and losses. Depending on the specific facts of the case, recovery may be available under the driver’s insurance policy, uninsured motorist coverage, or from other sources. It is uncommon for passengers to be found liable for an accident.
Sometimes accident victims don’t notice injuries until hours or days after a crash. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage are injuries that may not cause immediate pain. If you begin to feel pain, get to a doctor as soon as possible. Your medical records can document your injuries for a potential claim.
There could be more charges filed if the driver was working and using a vehicle owned by the company at the time of the accident. If certain factors apply, the employer can be held liable for some or all of the damages caused by the driver. Employment records, vehicle registration, and job responsibilities may be investigated to see if there are other parties that share liability.
Hit-and-runs that occur in parking lots should be taken just as seriously as one that occurs on a public street. Victims of these crimes should record damage to their vehicles, take pictures of the scene, and search for security cameras. They should also contact the police. Shopping center parking lots, office buildings, and apartment complexes often have security cameras that may have caught the driver who hit you.
If you were hit and the driver fled the scene in Hamden, Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., can inform you of your options. Contact us today to discuss your case and advocate for the justice you deserve.
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