Hit-and-Run Car Accidents in Spartanburg

The moments after a car accident are usually disorienting and overwhelming. Even a relatively small crash can leave a driver and their passengers stunned and confused about what happened. The effect can be even more serious when the accident results in serious or life-threatening injuries.

What happens when you attempt to check on yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle only to find that the other driver has fled the scene of the crash? Hit-and-run car accidents in Spartanburg can leave you frustrated and unsure of what to do next. If you’ve been injured or faced property damage following this type of collision, an experienced auto accident attorney can help you explore your legal options.

Hit and Run Accidents and the Law

South Carolina law is very clear about the responsibilities of a driver to stay put after an accident happens (South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-5-1210-1230). If an accident results in death, personal injury, or vehicle damage, any driver involved in the accident is required to stop their car at the scene or as close as possible. The law explains that the driver has additional duties, including giving their name and insurance information to the victim and helping any injured people get medical assistance.

Even if the driver hits an unoccupied and unattended vehicle, they have a legal responsibility to either find the owner of the vehicle or leave their written information in a place that’s easily seen.

When a driver flees the scene of the accident anyway, it is called a “hit-and-run.”

Calculating Your Losses After a Hit-and-Run Crash

Hit-and-run collisions in Spartanburg can result in serious losses. You and any passengers in the vehicle may have injuries that require immediate medical attention. If these injuries are serious enough to require hospitalization or surgery, the costs can add up quickly. Ongoing medical treatment—including physical therapy and medication—means ongoing costs, so it is not always obvious how many losses a hit-and-run crash has caused until months later.

Losses may also include the cost of repairs and towing of damaged vehicles. If your vehicle is damaged beyond repair, the loss includes the value of the vehicle itself. You may also be able to seek compensation for lost wages from having to take time off work for medical treatment or because of a lack of transportation.

How Can a Lawyer Help You Recover After a Hit-and-Run Collision?

Following a hit-and-run car crash in Spartanburg, there are usually lots of questions and complications. Authorities may need to investigate to figure out who is responsible for the accident and to identify the driver who left the scene of the crash. These investigations may include interviews as well as forensic evidence from the vehicle and the scene (such as debris left on the road).

Insurance representatives will likely have additional questions and may have investigations of their own.

An attorney at Holland & Usry can help you manage all of the phone calls, letters, and emails during these investigations while making sure that any evidence you need for your case is fully considered. As the case moves forward, you may have choices about accepting a settlement, and, especially if you’ve been seriously hurt, you need a lawyer to advise you on that decision as well.

If you need to file a lawsuit to get compensation for your losses, there’s no way around it—you need an attorney who can help you build your case and represent you in court.

Speak With a Spartanburg Attorney After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Hit-and-run car accidents in Spartanburg are serious offenses, and if you’ve been injured or had your vehicle damaged in one, you have legal rights.

Call Holland & Usry for a free case review and discuss your legal rights and options with a skilled lawyer at our firm.