Injuries Reported in Hit-and-Run Crash on SR-59
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported injuries following a hit-and-run crash on SR-59 in Merced County on the early morning of Thursday, September 9, 2021. The traffic collision occurred shortly after 4:20 a.m. in the area of State Route 59 and Canton Road.
Details on the Hit-and-Run Crash Reported on SR-59 in Merced
Crews from CalFire and Riggs Ambulance Service were requested at the scene to assist those who were injured in the incident. CHP traffic officers reported that three vehicles were involved in the motor vehicle accident, and the driver of one car was said to have fled the scene. Additional information on the car accident was not immediately available.
What You Should Know About Hit-and-Run Accidents and the Claims Process
Under California law, anyone who is involved in a traffic collision is required to remain at the scene. The information must be exchanged among involved parties, including names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers, and proof of insurance. If there are injuries involved, it is also expected that aid is requested at the scene as a precaution. When a driver fails to identify themselves and leaves the scene of a car accident, this may be considered a hit-and-run.
There are situations in which the driver responsible for the hit-and-run accident may not be located. Even when the suspect driver has been identified, if the reason that they left is because of not carrying liability coverage, the injured party may feel like that they are at a loss in terms of recovering compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost income, and other losses. However, there may be recourse under these circumstances if the injured party carries uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) on their insurance policy. The uninsured motorist portion of the plan may come into play and cover damages not paid by the at-fault party up to the limits of the policy.
What you should keep in mind when moving forward with a first-party insurance claim is that your insurer may not always be fair when it comes to compensating you for economic and non-economic damages. That is why it is essential to retain legal counsel right away. There are various filing criteria and deadlines in which must be met in the personal injury claims process. If the claims process is not navigated properly, the claimant may lose the right to financial recovery. Fortunately, an experienced injury lawyer will have the best interests of the injured party at heart while guiding them through the process to obtain the compensation they deserve. If you are unsure of what to look for in the best accident attorney to represent you, watch this video.
About Our Law Firm
After getting injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may be shocked when you receive an initial settlement offer from the insurance company that does not consider all your losses or even outright denial of your claim. Keep in mind that insurance carriers are businesses that are focused on protecting their bottom line. Claims adjusters are trained to use a wide array of tactics to dispute claims, including challenging whether your vehicle was struck by a hit-and-run driver, questioning whether you are as injured as you claim you are or suspecting that injuries are unrelated to the car accident.
When dealing with difficult insurance companies, you need an experienced accident attorney who will not back down. At our law firm, we have decades of experience handling cases like yours and will work diligently to obtain the financial recovery you need and deserve. If all attempts at a fair insurance settlement fail, we will not hesitate to bring the case to court, if necessary. Contact us today to learn more about how our team of injury attorneys may help you through this difficult time.
Personal Injury Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury attorney. Getting injured in a traffic collision may be traumatizing and overwhelming, no matter the circumstances. Situations involving hit-and-run drivers may make the process even more stressful, particularly if they are not located by law enforcement. When faced with such a predicament, it is crucial to speak with an experienced accident attorney to learn what options you may have for financial recovery. To get started, contact our law firm today for free, friendly advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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