Connecticut has a significant problem with hit-and-run accidents. In recent years, the rate of hit-and-run fatalities has risen*. Because you may never identify the other driver, seeking damages in a hit-and-run crash can present more challenges than in different auto accidents.
If you sustained an injury in a hit-and-run accident, contact the attorneys at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, today for a free consultation. We have extensive experience working with hit-and-run accident cases. We can cut through the legal complexity to pursue the compensation you deserve. With a hit-and-run crash, time is of the essence. Contact us today and allow an experienced Hartford hit-and-run accident lawyer to review your case.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Connecticut requires drivers to pull over, render aid, and contact the authorities after an auto accident. If a driver flees the scene of an accident, they can face hit-and-run criminal charges. A driver in Connecticut can also face a hit-and-run charge if they refuse to share their contact information with the other driver. Connecticut gives this criminal offense the title of “evading responsibility.” If the fleeing driver causes death or injuries, the driver could face serious criminal law consequences, including fines and prison, in addition to liability in a civil action or personal injury lawsuit.
Why Do Drivers Flee the Scene of an Auto Accident?
For many different reasons, a driver might flee the scene of an accident. Most reasons relate to the driver’s panic or desire to avoid civil and criminal consequences. As our car accident attorneys have seen through the years at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, some of the most common reasons for hit-and-run crashes in Hartford include the following:
- The fleeing motorist may have been intoxicated at the time and fled due to the risk of a law enforcement officer arresting them for driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
- The shock and stress of an accident can cause drivers to flee when they are not thinking clearly.
- The driver may lack mandatory auto insurance and drive away to avoid a citation and any financial responsibility for causing the crash.
- The driver may have warrants out for their arrest and flee the accident scene to avoid an arrest.
What Should You Do If You Are the Victim of a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The first thing you should do after a car accident is document the scene. Take pictures of your vehicle, injuries, and the crash scene. See if you can get any eyewitness contact information, too.
Next, if you are injured, seek medical attention as soon as you can. You will need medical documentation to file a car accident claim. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the lower your chance of facing payment delays or denials.
Finally, contact a personal injury attorney. For every day that passes, it will be harder to identify the driver and seek the money you deserve. An experienced Hartford car accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation.
Could I Still Recover Compensation for My Damages in a Hit-and-Run Crash?
In Connecticut, the at-fault driver or their insurer pays for any injuries they cause. After a typical accident, you would file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In a hit-and-run, however, the at-fault driver is unknown. So, you cannot file a claim against that driver.
However, you may still recover compensation. You may also be able to obtain compensation through your uninsured motorist coverage. If your auto insurance policy covers medical payments, you can file a claim for medical bills and lost wages through your insurance company. If the police eventually identify the other motorist, you can still pursue them instead of your own insurance company for damages. Contact our Hartford car accident lawyer today.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
Your ability to sue the hit-and-run driver for damages will depend on whether the police can locate them. They can’t always do so. Fortunately, Connecticut requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If the at-fault driver remains unidentified, your UM coverage should pay for any bodily injuries you have suffered due to a hit-and-run accident.
Even though Connecticut requires uninsured motorist insurance, the coverage may not fully cover the physical, emotional, and financial harm you may have suffered in the hit-and-run crash. A Hartford hit and run accident lawyer from Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, can examine your options and look for additional avenues to pursue compensation after a hit-and-run accident.
What Is the Penalty for a Hit-and-Run in Connecticut?
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-224(g) provides the range of penalties for hit-and-run violations. The severity of the charges depends on whether the accident caused death, injuries, or only property damage.
- For accidents causing death or serious injury — Class B felony. A conviction carries up to a 20-year prison term and a fine as high as $15,000.
- For accidents causing injuries — Class D felony. A conviction carries up to five years in prison and a fine as high as $5,000.
- For accidents involving only property damage — Class A misdemeanor. A conviction carries a maximum one-year prison term and a fine as high as $2,000. Subsequent offenses are Class D felonies.
Is There a Time Limit in Connecticut for Filing a Hit-and-Run Accident Claim
Yes. Assuming you are never able to identify the person who caused your injuries and forced to pursue a claim under your uninsured motorist policy, the time limit under Conn. Gen. Stat. §38a-336(g) to file a hit-and-run lawsuit in Connecticut is three years. If you are able to identify the driver at some point after the accident, you have 2 years under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584. The time limit usually starts from the injury date. However, in some cases, you may have a shorter or longer deadline. Your attorney can advise you about the deadlines that apply to your case.
Contact a Hartford Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
Hit-and-run auto accidents tend to present more challenges when compared to car accidents where the other driver’s identity is known. Without an attorney, knowing and understanding your options for recovering compensation is tough. An attorney from Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, can review your case and discuss potential legal avenues to recover your losses.
Our team has over 75 years of collective experience protecting auto accident victims and has recovered millions for our clients through our legal advocacy. Our goal is to defend hard-working Hartford residents when others harm them. We will use every legal strategy in the book to see justice done.
Send us an online message or call today for a free case evaluation. We are available 24/7. So, contact us anytime.
* Hit-and-run fatalities statistics
