Pedestrians struck by hit-and-run drivers can still seek financial support for their medical bills and lost work hours. If the driver is caught, the suspect’s car insurance could be called upon for help. If a driver escapes identification, the victim could file an injury claim with their own car insurance company.
Victims in and around Bakersfield can take advantage of a free case consultation with Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers. It’s a chance to go over their options and determine how to earn the support they need to fully heal and restore their lives back to normal.
Frightening Consequences for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Busy intersections in Bakersfield, such as the one at Real Road and Ming Avenue, can put any defenseless pedestrians in extreme danger as they try to cross the road.
A frightening collision while pedestrians are walking or running can leave them with a serious injury and some major pain. They might expect some help getting to a safe spot and calling for an ambulance, but if they are the victims of a hit-and-run, that assistance may be very much delayed.
At The Scene of a Hit-And-Run. Drivers who don’t stay at the scene of accidents and speed away make already traumatized victims feel that much more vulnerable. Pedestrians can be left in the path of other motorists who may not know they are there. Victims might also be unable to call 911 themselves and have to wait for a good Samaritan to signal for assistance.
The feeling of vulnerability only grows once a patient has been treated and is safe enough to consider the consequences of a hit-and-run, especially if a driver is never identified.
- Victims would have to find a way to cover their own medical care.
- Victims may not receive any help supporting their families while their injuries prevent them from working.
- Victims could fall behind on their normal monthly expenses, such as rent and credit card bills.
- Victims could face bankruptcy.
- Victims could have their credit score ruined.
It’s no wonder hit-and-run victims often have to give up hope that someone will take responsibility for what happened to them. Fortunately, there are sources of support for injured hit-and-run victims. In many cases, victims can get financial assistance with recovery even if a driver escapes justice.
Earning Justice and Support After a Bakersfield Hit-And-Run
Hit-and-run drivers make the heartbreaking decision to leave victims without immediate assistance. They can also stick victims with a future of financial turmoil and injury recovery.
If a hit-and-run driver is located and arrested, the injured pedestrian can seek compensation from the driver’s auto insurance policy. The driver may also be facing criminal proceedings, but your personal injury claim would be handled separately. It could be filed even if a trial or hearings hadn’t happened yet.
But to get full coverage from unhelpful car insurance providers, victims often need a strong legal representative to build a case that adjusters can reject:
- A skilled Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Attorney fully investigates what happened and collects all evidence of the driver’s crime.
- Important documents and Testimony. Proof of the consequences of the hit-and-run (e.g., hospital invoices, lost paychecks) is backed up by collecting medical charts, doctor testimony, paystubs, and other documentation.
- An attorney files a strong claim and negotiates for the maximum in a settlement. This gives the victim time to focus on healing.
- A skilled attorney can often earn the victim much more in a settlement than they could usually earn by handling a claim themselves.
- An attorney is ready to file a lawsuit if a car insurance company refuses to accept blame for a hit-and-run driver.
What If the Hit-And-Run Driver Is Never Identified?
This is truly a tragic outcome. A skilled attorney would do everything possible to help tie a driver to the crime, even offering any discovered evidence or important information to the police. Bakersfield Police Officers often don’t have enough time to devote to a hit-and-run investigation to have a real chance to catch the culprit.
A Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyer doesn’t stop investigating and can hire accident reconstruction teams and forensic experts when that expertise is needed. This extended activity can help make sure officers keep the case open and active.
Unfortunately, many hit-and-run drivers escape justice, but that doesn’t mean victims must give up hope on getting recovery assistance.
Pedestrians who have car insurance or are covered on a family member’s plan can file a claim with their own providers. This claim would draw from the policy’s Uninsured Motorist coverage, which also covers hit-and-run accidents.
Most car insurance policies in California include Uninsured Motorist coverage unless it’s rejected in writing by the policyholder.
Still, a victim’s own provider can limit the support a pedestrian gets. An attorney can watch over the claim and make sure victims get everything they require to heal and rebuild their lives.
Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
If you come away from a pedestrian collision with a serious injury, say a broken ankle or a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), talk to a lawyer in a free consultation. After a hit-and-run involving an injury, an attorney would be able to help you take on a giant car insurance company and, in many cases, earn you more.
Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to schedule a confidential, no-obligation review of your case.
If you do need a lawyer to help earn what you need for a full recovery, you won’t need any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check that a car insurer must write for you.