Taking accountability for a person you hurt is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, not all drivers care enough or are brave enough to check on another driver or person they hit. In Indiana, victims of hit-and-run accidents may still be able to recover compensation for their injuries, but it can be a challenging process.
Under Indiana’s Motor Vehicles Code, drivers who cause an accident resulting in the injury or death of another person must stop at the scene of the accident. This allows the injured person to get the help they need. A hit-and-run can result in criminal charges, jail time and fines. Yet, these types of accidents are still common across Indiana.
Recovering damages after a hit-and-run
There are ways you can try to find the driver, but it could be difficult to manage, given that you are still recovering from your injuries. After seeking medical attention and filing a police report, you can start gathering evidence. Reviewing CCTV footage or interviewing witnesses who were at the scene could give you some clues about who the driver is.
If the police are unable to identify the at-fault driver, you may be able to use your own insurance to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. Your auto insurance policy should include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless you opted out of it.
A standard auto insurance policy should provide up to $50,000 in coverage for bodily harm caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. You may be able to recoup some of the money you spent on medical care and vehicle repairs using this.
It’s possible, however, that the costs of more severe injuries will exceed this sum. At that point, you may explore looking at other insurance policies or revisiting the evidence you previously found in order to continue your hunt for the at-fault driver.
When you’re a victim of a hit-and-run, it might feel impossible to get compensation. You should not be dealing with these issues in the first place. If you get into trouble with your insurer or need assistance gathering evidence, an attorney may be able to help.
