Hit and run crashes can be incredibly frustrating because the at-fault party cannot be found. This can make it harder to file a lawsuit and get damages, but our lawyers can still help you get compensation for hit and run crashes.
If the other driver fled the scene, there is a chance the police can track them down. If that happens, we can still sue them, as with any other car accident case. However, if they fled, it might mean they don’t have insurance or the money to cover a crash. Whether you find them or not, your uninsured motorist coverage can help.
Call our Las Vegas car accident lawyers today at Mitchell Rogers Injury Law at (702) 702-2622.
What to Do After a Hit and Run in Las Vegas
Whether you were driving or on foot, being hit by a car always means calling 911 and getting a police response and emergency medical attention. If the other driver fled the scene, you should definitely call 911.
Police need to make a report of the accident. Additionally, if the other driver isn’t there, they can investigate, match cars to your description, and potentially track down the driver who hit you.
Additionally, you may need medical care. Calling 911 can get you immediate treatment and, if you need it, a ride to the hospital. Documenting your injuries and getting medical records helps show the crash happened at this date and time, making a stronger paper trail for when we file a claim.
You should also take steps to see if there are any witnesses, record contact info, and collect other evidence. If you can take pictures, take notes on the road and lighting conditions, etc., this can help your case later.
Can You Sue a Hit and Run Driver in Las Vegas?
If the police find the driver who hit you, you can certainly sue them for your crash. Police take hit and run accidents very seriously, and the somewhat crowded streets in Vegas often mean drivers cannot get far without an officer finding them.
Proving Hit and Run Claims
One issue with hit and run cases is that it can be harder to prove the defendant was the driver who hit you. If the only evidence linking them to the crash scene is your eyewitness testimony, they might try to beat the allegations by calling you a liar.
Our Boulder City, LV car accident lawyers can help collect other evidence backing up your claims and linking them to the crash. For example, there might have been traffic cameras or security cameras that caught the accident, showing it was this car that hit you. There might also be witnesses who can corroborate your story.
Additionally, the physical evidence in a car accident case can link the hit and run driver to your crash. For example, if their car’s paint is embedded in your car’s dent, it’s pretty clear they were involved in the crash.
Getting Compensation from Hit and Run Drivers
An unfortunate problem is that many hit and runs happen in the first place because the at-fault driver is uninsured or knows they cannot afford an accident. If the driver is found, you can sue them – but if they don’t have insurance or they have no money to pay you, it might not help you get compensation.
Instead, you might have to rely on your own insurance, which is something you can do even if the driver is never found.
Using Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage for Hit and Runs
Many hit and run drivers are never found. If they are found, they might have no insurance. This is where your own insurance can help with your crash.
Drivers are not required to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), but it can be a huge help. Usually, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for damages, but UM/UIM is an optional first-party coverage you can use to cover yourself if the other driver cannot be located or cannot pay for your damages.
When you use UM/UIM, you file with your own insurance, and they cover you as if they were in the other driver’s shoes. This means getting medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering from your own insurance.
How Much Does UM/UIM Cover in Nevada?
Nevada auto insurance companies need to offer UM/UIM coverage at least equal to the state minimum for liability insurance. This means covering at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries.
Many policies do allow higher limits. While raising your liability insurance limit means you can cover more if you hit someone, raising your UM/UIM coverage means better protection for you if you are ever in a hit and run or hit by an uninsured driver.
If you have a spouse or other adults in your household with UM/UIM insurance, it might also be possible to “stack” these coverages. This lets multiple policies pay one after the other if your damages are higher than one policy can cover.
Other First-Party Benefits That Can Help with Hit and Run Crashes
On top of UM/UIM, you might have other optional coverages on your policy. These can help with any crash, but they are particularly helpful when there is no other driver to hold liable.
- Medical payment coverage takes care of medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash. This can supplement what your UM/UIM covers.
- Collision coverage pays for your vehicle damage. This usually requires a deductible payment but covers the full cost of your repairs or the total cost of your vehicle.
To use these optional coverages, you need to have them on your policy before the crash.
You should consider updating your policy or speaking with a lawyer about what coverages you should have in case you are ever in a crash. If you were already in an accident, you can only take advantage of the coverages you had at the time of the crash, but it never hurts to update your policy going forward.
Call Our Hit and Run Lawyers in Las Vegas Today
If you were involved in a hit and run in Las Vegas, call (702) 702-2622 for a free case review with the Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at Mitchell Rogers Injury Law.