Personal Injury Law Blog
Understanding Your Rights After a Hit and Run Car Accident in Aurora, IL
Home to approximately 200,000 residents, Aurora is one of the largest cities in Illinois and offers a vibrant community, including popular landmarks such as the Paramount Theatre and Millennium Plaza. With bustling streets for both cars and pedestrians, hit and run accidents can unfortunately occur at any time.
When you find yourself in such a situation, it’s essential to understand your rights and options. A hit and run is not just frustrating; it’s a serious crime in Illinois that can leave victims feeling vulnerable and unsure of how to proceed. Injuries, property damage, and the stress of navigating the aftermath can be daunting.
If you live in Aurora or work in the area and are involved in a hit and run crash, hiring a top-rated car accident attorney can significantly impact your journey toward recovery. With proper legal support from the start, you can focus on healing while ensuring that your rights are protected. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today to learn more at (877) 595-4878.
Navigating the Aftermath of a Hit and Run Accident in Aurora
After an accident, drivers should stop at the scene, exchange information, speak to law enforcement, and communicate with witnesses. However, if the driver of a vehicle flees the crash scene, leaving another driver or pedestrian badly injured, then the trade of information can’t be done.
Many pedestrian accident victims and car crash victims may wonder: What happens if I can’t find the at-fault driver?
- The driver may not call 911, leaving an injured person without assistance.
- There may be no witnesses, or if there are, the injured person may not know how to contact them or be physically impaired to do so on their own.
- An injured person may need to rely on video footage from local security or traffic cameras, delayed police reports, and other scraps of evidence to figure out what happened.
- Dealing with car insurance claims and health insurance to find remedies after a hit and run accident can be a daunting process to handle on one’s own; especially if severe injuries were sustained.
Chasing down the driver and gathering evidence can be quite a challenge. All your effort should be focused on attending doctors’ appointments and dealing with your day-to-day needs. This is why working with an attorney can be helpful: they can handle the documentation while you focus on healing.
Why You Should Let an Attorney Handle Your Insurance Claims After a Hit and Run in Aurora
A person injured by a hit and run driver can’t file a claim against the other driver’s insurance until they identify the driver. Bills can pile up, leaving the injured person with few options. For some people, one option is to seek coverage under their own insurance policy.
- Uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIA) motorist coverage pays for certain losses when a covered person is injured by someone with little or no insurance. Often, this coverage also applies when the person who caused the crash can’t be identified, such as when they flee the scene.
- An insurance company may choose to push back. They may argue that you didn’t try hard enough to find the person who hit you. They may claim that you were at fault for the crash. They may delay or deny your claim.
When you’re seriously injured, dealing with insurance companies can feel like an impossible challenge. You don’t have to handle insurance issues alone. Your attorney can manage communications, meet deadlines, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the full, fair compensation you need by pursuing a personal injury claim.
Understanding the Interplay Between Criminal and Civil Cases for Accident Victims
Illinois law requires anyone involved in a personal injury crash to “immediately stop” at the scene of the crash. A person who fails to stop at the scene or to report the crash can be charged with a crime.
- Criminal cases hold people accountable for violating the state’s criminal laws. They are brought by prosecutors on behalf of the state. The charges must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and penalties can include imprisonment, probation, fines, and other obligations.
- Civil cases seek compensation when one person’s negligent or reckless behavior harms someone else. They are brought by the injured person. The claims must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence in most cases, and penalties are usually limited to monetary damages.
After a hit and run incident in DuPage County, Will County, Kane County, or Kendall County, either or both types of cases may occur. The outcome of one case can affect the other. If police apprehend the driver who hit you, your attorney can ensure that criminal proceedings don’t negatively affect your civil case for compensation for your injuries. In some cases, the injuries sustained are so severe that they result in death.
Talk to an Experienced Chicago Hit and Run Attorney Today
If you or someone you love was injured in a hit and run collision, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Chicago hit and run accident lawyer. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help. Call us today to schedule a no-obligation, free consultation.
We also proudly serve Aurora, North Aurora, Montgomery, Eola, Prestbury, and Madison Park communities. We have offices in Joliet, Northfield, and Chicago. For directions, click here.
