Driver Arrested After Fresno Hit and Run Injury Accident
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) located and arrested a driver after a hit and run injury accident in west-central Fresno, CA, on the morning of May 16, 2020. The car accident occurred shortly before 2:00 a.m. on southbound Highway 99 near Olive Avenue. A Ford Mustang was headed down State Route 99 when it was hit by a Toyota, causing it to crash into a light pole and knock it down. The Toyota driver stopped to check on the driver of the Mustang. He allegedly apologized for causing the accident and drove away from the scene. The Mustang driver called the CHP to report the hit and run. Witness statements helped investigators track down the driver of the Toyota at Community Regional Medical Center. After the Toyota driver was released from hospitalization for treatment of unspecified injuries, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) and hit and run. The Mustang driver suffered minor injuries in the crash. However, it is unknown whether they were hospitalized after the collision.
Does Car Insurance Cover Fresno Hit and Run Injury Accidents?
When a person is injured after a hit and run accident, investigators will work to identify the driver who left the scene. Police will look at the damage done to the injured person’s vehicle and interview witnesses. However, the investigation of a hit and run case is not always straightforward and successful. This may leave the injured party at a loss when it comes to paying for their injuries and damages. It is often a challenging situation for those involved. That is where an experienced Fresno car accident lawyer can help. An experienced injury lawyer can review your insurance policy and guide you through the filing process of uninsured motorist coverage if you carry it. Insurance companies, including your own, are not always fair when it comes to car accident compensation, and an injury attorney can work to ensure that you are compensated for your injuries and damages. To learn about the factors insurance carriers look at to dispute your personal injury claim, watch the video below.
Types of Recoverable Damages for a Hit and Run Accident
When the driver responsible for the hit and run accident is found, either through witness statements or video surveillance of the accident scene, an injured party may be able to claim compensation for past and future medical treatment bills, lost wages, lost earning potential, property damage, and pain and suffering. This can be done by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. Punitive damages may also be awarded in car accident injury claims where the at-fault party’s behavior was particularly egregious, like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such cases, the court may award punitive damages to the injured party as a way of punishing the negligent driver directly for their wrongdoing. If the hit and run driver is not located, the injured person may still be able to recover the economic and noneconomic damages mentioned above through their uninsured motorist coverage.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Hit and Run?
Making the decision to hire a Fresno car accident lawyer is a big step. You may already feel overwhelmed at the thought of covering your medical expenses while you are out of work to recover from your injuries. Filing a personal injury lawsuit for your hit and run accident may seem like more than you can handle. This is why taking the time with an experienced injury lawyer can make the recovery process easier for you. Your lawyer can work to establish the facts of your hit and run accident, collect evidence, and prepare a strong case for compensation with the insurance company. If the insurer disputes paying the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled, your attorney will take your case to court, if necessary.
Car Accident Lawyer in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident lawyer. Insurance companies are not always looking out for you. When it comes to car accident injury claims, they may dispute the value of your case or deny it altogether. This can prove particularly challenging, even more so in the case of a hit and run. When it comes to personal injury claims with insurance companies, hiring an experienced accident lawyer can make the difference in obtaining the compensation you need for your injuries and losses incurred. If you or a loved one has been injured after a traffic accident in Fresno, please call me at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly case advice.
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