Hit and Run Auto Accidents

Hit and Run Auto Accidents

It is illegal in Ohio to leave the scene of an accident involving damage to another person's property or person. Most of the time when a driver flees the scene of the accident it is because they have already done something illegal, such as driving without auto insurance or driving while intoxicated.

A person who has been injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident due to a hit and run is sometimes fortunate to have a witness who can identify the at-fault driver's license plate. I have also represented injured victims in a hit and run accident where a Good Samaritan followed the at-fault driver until they stopped so that they could identify them and call the police. In other more severe cases, the motor vehicle accident resulted in catastrophic injuries, police may use forensic testing or techniques to search for the hit and run vehicle.

When a hit and run driver cannot be found, it poses a several big problems to an injured victim because they will be unable to recover from that driver or their insurance. First, if you can't find the person at fault you cannot make them pay for your damages. Even if the driver can later be identified, they may not have any auto insurance coverage or any assets. However, injured victims who are unable to identify the at fault driver may still be able to recover for damages through their own insurance company, and may be able to receive money to pay for their medical bills while they are awaiting to collect for their damages from their insurer.

Another problem with a phantom driver is you may not be able to collect on your own policy for pain and suffering or lost wages. In Ohio, when a phantom driver hits you, you need independent corroborative evidence of the accident in order to use your uninsured motorist coverage. This usually means a witness. Without a witness, you will likely only be able to use your medpay coverage to pay for medical bills and your collision insurance to get your car fixed. No money for pain and suffering or lost wages, or medical payments beyond your medpay policy limits. If you can't identify the party at fault, I guess you better hope a witness inside or outside the car is available.

For more information about this subject go to www.Chesterlaw.com and request a copy of my free Book entitled The Insider's Guide to Handling Ohio Accident Claims. You can also order my free DVD entitled What you should know about motor vehicle injury claims. Both the free Book and free DVD describe in more detail what you need to know to protect your rights NOW.

Call the experienced personal injury attorneys at Chester Law Group today to get the help you want from people you can trust (800) 218-4243

Now Available 24/7

Name *

Phone *

Email *

Tell us more *

Akron
430 White Pond Drive
Akron, OH 44320
Phone: 330-253-5678
Toll Free: 800-218-4243
Get Directions

Amherst
199 N. Leavitt Rd, Suite 201
Amherst, OH 44001 Get Directions

Beachwood
3401 Enterprise Pkwy, Suite 340
Beachwood, OH 44122 Get Directions

Canton
4884 Higbee Ave., NW
Suite 200
Canton, OH 44718 Get Directions

Columbus
1900 Polaris Parkway, Suite 450
Columbus, OH 43420 Get Directions

Independence
5005 Rockside Rd, Suite 600
Independence, OH 44131 Get Directions

Toledo
1690 Woodlands Dr.
Suite 200
Maumee, OH 43537 Get Directions

Medina
3637 Medina Rd, Suite 350
Medina, OH 44256 Get Directions

Mentor
7784 Reynolds Rd
Mentor, OH 44060 Get Directions

Ravenna
231 S. Chestnut St
Ravenna, OH 44266 Get Directions

Twinsburg
2112 Case Parkway S., Suite 9
Twinsburg, OH 44087 Get Directions

Warren
526 Niles Courtland Rd, SE
Warren, OH 44484 Get Directions

Westlake
1991 Crocker Rd, Suite 600
Westlake, OH 44145 Get Directions

Wooster
248 N. Walnut St
Wooster, OH 44691 Get Directions

Youngstown
16 Wick Ave., Suite 607
Youngstown, OH 44503 Get Directions