Car accidents can become deadly within seconds. You may be trying to merge on Roosevelt Boulevard one minute and get hit by a speeding driver the next. Other than recovering from your injuries, you may be wondering how to seek compensation for your accident. If your accident was a hit and run, you may think that there are no options for you. But that’s not true. Here are some ways that you can receive compensation from your hit and run accident.
File an insurance claim
One of the primary forms of compensation is through your insurance claim.
Even with hit and run accidents, there is an insurance policy that can cover the costs of your damages. Some of these policies include:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury. This coverage can be used for victims who have been hurt in hit and run accidents. Even if the driver hasn’t been identified, you can still use this coverage for your bodily injury damages.
- Collision coverage. If your car has been damaged in a hit and run accident, this coverage can be used for vehicle repairs.
- Personal injury protection coverage. This coverage can be used to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages.
- Medical payments coverage. This coverage can also be used to cover the costs of your medical bills.
Denial of insurance claims
Filing an insurance claim is usually the first step that car accident victims take for compensation. When an insurance claim has been denied, you still have opportunities to seek compensation.
You have the choice to file an appeal. During the appeal process, you may argue why your appeal should be approved before an administrative judge.
With the administrative appeal process, you have the option of being represented by an attorney. You can also choose to be represented by an attorney with the next step of receiving compensation: reaching a settlement.
Car accident settlements
Depending on the nature of the accident, some insurance companies will offer settlements to victims. If insurance companies don’t want to pay out a car accident claim, they’ll offer a low settlement to the victim.
Once the settlement has been accepted, that’s it. The victim can no longer pursue additional legal action against the other driver or their insurance company.
Settlements can be beneficial depending on the outcome you want for your claim. If you want to receive your guaranteed compensation in a faster time period, a settlement could work for you.
However, insurance companies could be lowballing you. You may have discovered that you actually deserved a greater amount of compensation. Unfortunately, you can no longer fight for that deserved compensation once you’ve accepted a poor offer.
Speaking with a car accident attorney can prevent you from accepting a bad settlement offer.
Car accident lawsuits
A majority of car accident claims end in a settlement. However, when a settlement can’t be reached, the claim may progress to a lawsuit.
Just like the other ways to seek compensation, a lawsuit has benefits and challenges. With a lawsuit, you have the chance to hold the right person accountable for your damages.
Unfortunately, the process is not really in your control. It may take you a few weeks or months to obtain your compensation. If the other party attempts to stall the process, it could make the process even longer.
With a lawsuit, you also have the chance to receive other forms of compensation. With a majority of the other options, you can receive compensation for damages like medical bills and lost wages.
If you are successful in your lawsuit, you may be awarded punitive damages or pain and suffering.
How to determine the best outcome
To determine the best way to obtain your compensation, consider what you truly want. Your damages can be critical. You may have suffered serious injuries like spinal cord or brain injuries. These injuries can be permanent and require additional medical assistance.
Because you require greater amounts of compensation, it may not be in your best interest to accept a lowball settlement. You may want to review each settlement offer and make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
You may also want to receive compensation as quickly as possible. If that’s the case, you may want to consider filing an insurance claim. Even if your accident was a hit and run accident, there are insurance policies that can provide the compensation you need.
How a car accident attorney can help
Another way to narrow down the best way to receive your compensation is to speak with a car accident attorney. A car accident attorney has experience handling hit and run accidents. They can assess your case and determine what outcome is best for you and your family.
Call Kwartler Manus in Philadelphia today
Were you injured in a Roosevelt Boulevard hit and run accident? Call the office of Kwartler Manus, LLC, today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.