Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney in Durham

A hit-and-run accident happens when one of the drivers flees the crash scene without offering aid or exchanging information with the other drivers involved in the collision. As callous and irresponsible as it is to flee the scene after hitting someone, hit-and-run accidents are far from rare. A hit-and-run accident happens every 43 seconds in the United States, and hit-and-run accidents claim more than 2,000 lives every year, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

In North Carolina, more than 114,000 people are injured in car accidents every year, according to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. More than 8,200 motor vehicle crashes occur every year in Durham alone, injuring nearly 3,200 people.

When both drivers stop and exchange insurance information as they should, injured drivers and passengers can seek compensation for their injuries from the at-fault party. When a motorist flees the scene, it is not so straightforward. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have any options.

Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., is a law firm with experienced hit-and-run accident attorneys in Durham, North Carolina. We understand the issues that arise in these kinds of cases, and we know how to pursue maximum compensation regardless of whether the police ever find the other driver.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Durham

What should you do after a hit-and-run in Durham, NC? Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime, making it more difficult for you to pursue compensation for your injuries. That’s why your priority should be to help law enforcement find the driver who fled the scene.

After a Durham hit-and-run, you should take these steps immediately:

• Call 911.
• Tell the police what happened and provide the best description you can of the car that hit you and its driver.
• Gather all the evidence you can, including photos or video of road conditions and traffic signs, property damage, and any injuries.
• Get contact information for eyewitnesses so your lawyer can gather their statements later.
• Get medical attention immediately.
• Contact a Durham hit-and-run accident lawyer at Kornbluth Ginsberg.

Hit-and-Run Laws in North Carolina

Under North Carolina law, leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime. The law requires any driver involved in a crash resulting in injury or property damage to stop, render aid to the injured, and exchange information with the other drivers involved in the collision.

You can be charged with a hit-and-run under NC law if you leave the scene of an accident before the investigating officer authorizes you to go. Fleeing the scene of a fatal accident or an accident involving serious injury is a Class F felony. Fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in any other injury is a Class H felony. Fleeing the scene of an accident resulting only in property damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The maximum penalty for a Class F felony in North Carolina is 59 months in prison. The maximum for a Class H felony is 39 months in prison. The maximum for a Class 1 misdemeanor charge is 120 days in jail.

Depending on the circumstances of the case, you may be entitled to Crime Victim Compensation. Ask your lawyer about your rights under the North Carolina Crime Victims’ Rights Act.

Compensation Available for Hit-and-Run Victims in Durham

If law enforcement can find the other driver in a hit-and-run accident, you can file a personal injury claim. You can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other income, pain and suffering, and other noneconomic losses.

However, many hit-and-run drivers flee the scene because they are uninsured. In that event, or if law enforcement cannot locate the hit-and-run driver, you can seek compensation through your auto policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. All drivers are required to carry UM coverage in North Carolina, which should provide you with a minimum of $30,000 to cover bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage to your vehicle, according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

Common Challenges in Durham Hit-and-Run Car Accident Claims

Hit-and-run cases present challenges all their own, including:

• It can be difficult to find or even identify the at-fault driver.
• Eyewitnesses may present unclear or contradictory descriptions of the hit-and-run driver due to the limitations of memory, the speed of events, and the stress of witnessing an accident.
• Traffic camera footage may not be clear enough to help identify the hit-and-run driver.
• Unless the driver is identified, it may be impossible to obtain physical evidence, such as paint chips or other proof of damage to their vehicle.
• Insurance companies can be uncooperative, as they don’t want to pay any more than they have to. That is true even when dealing with “your” auto insurance company in a UM claim.

The best way to overcome these challenges is to hire an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney with the resources and resolve to tackle your case. The experienced hit-and-run car accident attorneys at Kornbluth Ginsberg are familiar with every challenge you may run into and know how to overcome it.

How Kornbluth Ginsberg Can Help After a Durham Hit-and-Run Crash

The best lawyer for hit-and-run accidents in Durham, North Carolina, is a local law firm familiar with Durham courts and insurance providers. Kornbluth Ginsberg has hit-and-run accident attorneys in Durham with extensive experience helping injured people like you. According to our client S.B., “They had my best interest through the whole process. Very professional and amazing firm. If you looking for a lawyer they are the best.”

If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, we can help you by:

• Investigating the accident
• Interviewing eyewitnesses
• Analyzing your medical records
• Examining the police report
• Filing your insurance claims, including a UM claim, if necessary
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Representing you in court if needed

At Kornbluth Ginsberg, we understand the importance of treating our clients how we would like to be treated. We provide free consultations on personal injury cases, so you can tell us all about the accident without worrying about money. If possible, we will help you file a personal injury lawsuit. If not, we will pursue uninsured motorist coverage and other potential sources of compensation.

Contact us online or call 919-401-4100 Kornbluth Ginsberg for your free consultation today.