Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Chapel Hill

A hit and run can leave you feeling frustrated and uncertain about how to hold the other driver accountable. A Chapel Hill car accident lawyer can help you identify them and recover damages.

Whitley Law Firm has been advocating for accident victims since 1974. If you were on the wrong end of a hit and run, a hit and run accident lawyer in Chapel Hill can help you pursue compensation.

Why Hire a Chapel Hill Hit and Run Accident Lawyer?

A Chapel Hill personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in your ability to recover compensation after a crash.

Specifically, a lawyer can step in and help by:

• Investigating the accident: An attorney can gather evidence, interview witnesses, review surveillance footage, and work to identify the driver who fled the scene.
• Calculating your damages: A lawyer can assess both your short-term and long-term losses to calculate your claim’s value.
• Negotiating a settlement: An attorney can negotiate with insurance companies and push for compensation that reflects the true value of your claim.
• Representing you in court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can help you file a lawsuit and present your case before a judge or jury.

What Types of Compensation are Available?

As a victim of a hit and run, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of losses, including:

• Medical expenses: You can pursue compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and future medical treatment.
• Lost income: You can recover wages you lost while you were unable to work because of your injuries.
• Reduced earning capacity: You can seek damages if your injuries affect your ability to earn income in the future.
• Property damage: You can obtain compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
• Pain and suffering: You can pursue damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
• Punitive damages: You can seek punitive damages in cases involving particularly reckless or malicious conduct from the other party.

Chapel Hill Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 785-5000

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Per G.S. § 1-52, you generally have three years from the date of a hit and run accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina. If the accident resulted in a fatality, the deadline for a wrongful death lawsuit is typically two years from the date of death.

The longer you wait to file your claim, the more difficult it will be to track down the driver who hit you. That’s why it’s important to get a lawyer for a hit and run.

What Types of Evidence Help Identify Hit and Run Drivers?

Finding a hit and run driver often requires a thorough investigation.

Types of evidence that can help you track them down include:

• Traffic camera footage
• Security camera recordings from nearby businesses
• Residential doorbell camera footage
• Eyewitness statements
• Vehicle debris left at the scene
• Paint transfers and damage patterns
• Accident reconstruction analysis

In some cases, a partial license plate number or a witness description can provide enough information to identify the fleeing driver. If that’s not enough, a hit and run accident attorney in Chapel Hill can help collect additional evidence.

Common Causes of Hit and Run Accidents

Drivers flee accident scenes for many reasons, such as:

• Driving under the influence: Impaired drivers may flee to avoid arrest or criminal charges.
• Lack of insurance: Uninsured drivers sometimes leave because they cannot cover the damages they caused.
• Suspended or revoked licenses: Drivers who are not legally allowed to drive may flee to try to avoid detection.
• Outstanding warrants: Individuals facing legal issues may flee to avoid contact with law enforcement.
• Panic or fear: Some drivers make poor decisions in stressful situations and leave without thinking about the consequences.
• Distracted driving: Drivers who were texting, adjusting a GPS system, or otherwise distracted may flee to avoid responsibility for the crash.

Common Injuries in Hit and Run Accidents

Hit and run accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Neck and back injuries
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Lacerations and severe bruising
• Psychological trauma and anxiety

What Percentage of Hit and Runs Get Solved?

Every hit and run accident case is different. While no outcome is guaranteed, cases involving serious injuries or fatalities often receive more attention from law enforcement and therefore have a higher likelihood of being solved.

Law enforcement agencies solve a substantial number of cases each year through evidence collection, witness cooperation, and advances in surveillance technology. An attorney can also investigate the accident and work to identify the driver who hit you.

What if the Other Driver Isn’t Found?

Even if you don’t identify the driver who hit you, you may still be able to pursue compensation through your own insurance coverage.

In North Carolina, uninsured motorist coverage may apply to hit and run accidents when the responsible driver can’t be found. Depending on your policy and the circumstances of the crash, an uninsured motorist claim may help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Chapel Hill

The actions you take immediately after a hit and run accident can affect your ability to recover compensation.

You should:

• Call the police and report the accident.
• Document the scene with photographs and videos.
• Write down everything you remember about the fleeing vehicle, such as its color, make, model, and direction of travel.
• Speak with witnesses and obtain their contact information.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Notify your insurance company about the accident.
• Consult a Chapel Hill hit and run accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Speak to a Hit and Run Accident Attorney in Chapel Hill

The aftermath of a hit and run can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it alone. A Chapel Hill hit and run accident attorney from Whitley Law Firm can investigate the crash, work to identify the driver who fled, and help you recover compensation for your losses.

Schedule a free case evaluation to find out how you can pursue justice.