If you suffered injuries in a car accident in Gulfport, Mississippi, and the driver who caused it left the scene, this could complicate the process of recovering the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries and expenses. However, there may be options for securing damages in a hit and run accident.
A Gulfport hit and run accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and take steps to begin the process while representing your best interests. A member of the Morris Bart law office team can review the merits of your case through a free consultation. Call us at (228) 357-9621 to learn more about how we can get started.
Hit and Run Accidents Can Create Problems with Financial Recovery
Victims of hit and run accidents can have a more difficult time recovering the compensation they may be entitled to for their accident-related injuries than other accident victims, since the identity of the at-fault driver is often unknown.
Under Mississippi Code § 63-3-401, all drivers must remain on the scene of an accident that leads to injuries or fatalities, otherwise they risk jail time, up to $5,000 fines, or having their license revoked. Those involved in a serious accident should remain on the scene until they have spoken with the police and the police have told them they can leave. However, this does not always happen. People may leave the scene of an accident for many reasons, including:
- Not having a driver’s license
- Not having insurance
- Being intoxicated
- Being wanted for a crime
In some cases, police will identify the driver during their investigation of the accident. A witness may have a tag number, or a traffic camera may have captured the vehicle leaving the scene. In other cases, a lawyer may be able to uncover the identity of the driver during their investigation by working with witnesses, local businesses, and body shops as necessary.
If you can prove the identity of the driver, you can file a claim based on their auto insurance policy or file a personal injury lawsuit. If not, you may have other options for financial recovery. To learn more, contact the Morris Bart law office by calling (228) 357-9621. We offer free initial consultations, and our team works on a contingency-fee-basis.
For a free legal consultation with a Hit and Run Accident lawyer serving Gulfport, call 800-537-8185
Our Team Can Help You Identify the Best Options for Compensation
A Gulfport hit and run accident lawyer can explore your options for pursuing the compensation you may be entitled to for accident-related damages if the at-fault driver left the scene of the accident. In some cases, it may be possible to identify the driver. In other cases, the driver may not have the required liability insurance and does not have enough assets to justify filing a personal injury lawsuit.
One option we may be able to pursue is filing a claim based on your uninsured or under-insured motorists policy. The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) does not make this a required coverage, so some people opt to carry this type of policy. If you have uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage, you may be able to file a claim for your injuries and related damages with your own insurer.
Contact a lawyer to learn more about this or other options based on the specific facts of your case.
Possible Recoverable Damages After a Hit and Run Accident
Sometimes, in cases like these, your insurance can play a role in the types of damages available to you. For example, uninsured motorist coverage will only pay for certain types of damages, and only up to the policy limits set by the MID. If we can identify the at-fault driver and build a case against them, the recoverable damages could include:
- Current and future medical care and any related costs
- Current and future lost wages, benefits lost, and reduced earning capacity
- Property damages, including your car repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Other non-economic losses
- Wrongful death damages suffered by surviving family members
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You Only Have a Limited Time to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Time is of the essence when it comes to identifying a hit and run driver and potentially taking legal action against them. It may become more difficult to identify the at-fault motorist as time passes, and you can lose the right to file legal action in a Harrison County civil court. Under Mississippi Code § 15-1-49, you only have three years from the date of your accident to identify the driver and file the paperwork to begin a lawsuit.
Consider reaching out to a legal team as soon as you can after your hit and run accident injuries so they can go to work on your case. If the police identify the driver, you can file for insurance coverage based on their liability policy or pursue a civil suit. If not, you may be able to take other steps toward recovering compensation you may be entitled to.
Speak to a Member of the Traffic Accident Team from Morris Bart, LTD
A Gulfport hit and run accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation you may be entitled to after suffering injuries in a hit and run accident. They can explain your options if the driver who hit you left the scene, and police have not identified them. In some cases, they may also be able to identify the at-fault driver and start the process to hold them accountable.
The Morris Bart law firm has offices in Gulfport, as well as more than a dozen others across the Gulf South. We serve of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
To learn more about your potential legal options, call our team at (228) 357-9621. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you would not have to pay anything out of pocket if you hire us. We only take payment if and when we win your case.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
