In Need of Hit and Run Accident Attorneys in Greenville?
At the David W. Martin Law Group, our Greenville car accident attorneys know there are few things more surprising than a negligent driver crashing into your vehicle after running a red light, driving aggressively, or having all their attention focused on the phone in their hand instead of on the road ahead. One of the more shocking events is looking up after the crash only to realize the liable party left the scene of the accident.
Now what?
While South Carolina law requires all parties involved in any type of vehicle collision to stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives, like most laws, there is always a set of people who do not follow the mandates. When they leave the scene of a crash, it is referred to as a hit and run accident.
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a hit and run crash in South Carolina, contact our
Greenville County auto accident and personal injury lawyers to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the financial recovery you are entitled to, even if the negligent driver is never found.
South Carolina Hit and Run Drivers are Typically in Violation of Other Laws When the Crash Occurs
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a hit and run accident occurs somewhere in the U.S. every 43 seconds.
What most hit and run drivers know is, the police are going to appear at the scene of the crash quickly, which is typically why they do not stay behind. Unfortunately, hit and run drivers are often negligent in other ways, including not carrying the minimum required insurance coverage to pay for the crash — so they leave.
Other reasons hit and run drivers leave the scene of a crash they caused may include being intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, driving on a suspended license, lacking proper registration credentials, or because they know they already have a warrant out for their arrest — which means he or she is going to jail — so they flee.
The next step is for law enforcement to take down as many details about the other driver and their vehicle as possible, to locate and apprehend the negligent driver, so he or she can be held accountable for their unlawful actions. Unfortunately, even if he or she is found, and it is determined they do not have vehicle insurance, it may be difficult to recover any financial compensation for the crash from the person who is responsible.
There is another option. Our Greenville hit and run drivers can help you pursue your vehicle’s insurance coverage for your damages, so you are not left paying for your losses out of pocket.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage is Required for All South Carolina Drivers
According to the South Carolina Department of Insurance, all drivers are required to purchase liability and uninsured motorist coverage to drive legally in the state.
Auto liability insurance policies contain three major parts under South Carolina Tort law:
- Liability Insurance for Bodily Injury.
- Liability Insurance for Property Damage.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage.
Each South Carolina driver’s insurance policy must meet the minimum cover requirements of:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury.
- $50,000 for all the persons injured in one accident.
- $25,000 for all property damage in one accident.
When it comes to hit and run accidents, the fleeing driver is treated as an uninsured driver. This means your required uninsured motorist coverage will cover your damages up to your policy limits, which may exceed the state’s minimum requirement.
Can I Pursue My Insurance Coverage on My Own?
No South Carolina law states that you must partner with a hit and run accident attorney in Greenville to pursue your insurance coverage for your damages.
However, the insurance company is not simply going to take your word for what happened. It is going to require proof — in multiple forms — that you were not liable for the crash and injuries that resulted. Unfortunately, this is more difficult than it sounds.
We can help build your case for success by supplying the necessary evidence that the other driver fled from the scene while outlining your complete recovery needs, including medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and other damages, including how the accident has impacted your daily activities and overall quality of life, so together we can pursue the best outcome for your unique claim during our negotiations.
We also serve these services in Greenville, South Carolina:
- Dog Bite
- Daycare/Childcare
- Drunk Driving
- Sexual Abuse
- Truck Accident
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Wrongful Death
Contact Our Hit and Run Accident and Injury Attorneys in Greenville, South Carolina
Contact our experienced Greenville hit and run accident and injury lawyers today at (803) 590-1958 to schedule a consultation to discuss your case, so we can get started on your financial recovery needs right away.
