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Hit and Run Accidents in Lexington

A trip around Lexington at any hour can put drivers in several close calls for accidents.  The distracted drivers are out day and night and can land you in an unavoidable collision.

An accident that injures you or your passengers can be devastating, but the tragedy only grows if the at-fault driver decides to flee the scene to escape the consequences of his or her actions.

Hit and Run Drivers in Kentucky

The Kentucky State Police reported there were almost 12,500 hit-and-run accidents across the state in 2018.  The drivers that took off from the scene left behind 1,121 injured people in those accidents.

The victims can wake up and find out they’ll be left to pay for their own recovery and deal with missed time from work.  It can be heartbreaking for the victims and their families. Seeking closure in these accidents can be difficult because the victims may not be able to face the drivers responsible for their injuries and hardships since the collision.

There are options for a victim if the driver is never identified or if the person is eventually caught.  A local Lexington attorney with experience in these cases can help you determine your best course of action in the wake of a tragic hit-and-run accident.  Contact the Kaufman & Stigger Lawfirm for a free consultation on your case.

Common Car Accident Injuries

The physical and emotional damage from a traffic accident can be long-lasting and require treatment for the rest of the victim’s life. The injuries can be severe and require multiple surgeries and long-term term care.  Here are a few of the most common injuries victims can suffer:

  • Traumatic brain injuries: From severe concussions to brain damage, head injuries can cause permanent damage.
  • Neck injuries: Thoracic Spine Injury (whiplash) disc, nerve, and ligament damage that can be debilitating and painful.
  • Mid and lower back injuries: Lumbar injuries, lower back, sciatica, disc damage can all come from a back injury.
  • Fractures: From hairline to compound, broken bones are common in car accidents and can cause great pain and temporary or permanent disability.
  • Soft tissue injuries: muscles, tendons and ligaments, and significant pain with limited range of motion.

These severe outcomes are one of the reasons why a hit-and-run driver faces strict penalties if they are caught.  A driver who was responsible for an accident that led to serious injuries and even death can face up to five years in prison and several thousand dollars in fines.  They can lose their driver’s license as well even if there were no injuries involved in the accident.

What if the Driver in a Hit-and-Run Accident Isn’t Caught?

In these difficult cases, a victim can get help with their expenses from their own auto insurance if they had uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage.  That’s what these policies are in place for.

The sad truth is that you will have to make a claim with your insurance company and even though they are supposed to represent you, they will be looking for ways to pay you as little as possible for your claim.

An attorney is often necessary to make sure your own insurance company pays you what’s fair for all of your pain and suffering. In fact, if you are considering hiring legal help you should stop talking to your insurance company.  They will take any statements you make and try to use them to weaken your case.

What if the Hit-and-Run Driver is Identified?

If the driver is later found and charged in your accident a claim against his or her insurance company can move forward. The driver will be involved in a criminal trial over the charges but you won’t need to wait on that trial to finish to begin your claim against the at-fault driver.

The damages that an accident victim is entitled to seek from an at-fault driver may include some costs you hadn’t considered.  These are just a few of the possibilities:

  • Hospital and medical expenses.
  • Past and future lost earnings.
  • Past and future permanent physical disability such as a limp, scars, loss of a limb.
  • Emotional distress, such as depression and anxiety.
  • Money for counseling and psychological services.
  • Damage or destruction of property.
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

Contact a Lexington Hit-And-Run Accident Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Lexington you’ll need an experienced attorney on your side whether the at-fault driver is found or not. Either way, you’ll be facing your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company as agents attempt to weaken your case and pay you as little as possible. You need someone on your side to help you recover the compensation you’ll need to protect your future.

Talk to a Lexington Car Accident Attorney you can trust to fairly represent you and fight for your rights. The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the compensation they’ll need to make a full recovery. To discuss your case, contact Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, by clicking here to contact them online.