How Will My Car Insurance Be Affected in a Hit-and-Run Accident?

The impact of a hit-and-run accident can be difficult to cope with, particularly when it affects so many aspects of your life. Not only are you dealing with severe injuries, financial losses, and emotional trauma, but there are significant collateral consequences you need to prepare for. This includes the ways your car insurance could be impacted by your involvement in a collision, even if you were hit by a driver who fled the scene. 

With help from an aggressive and experienced Memphis hit-and-run accident attorney at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, you could minimize the fallout and demand justice. Insurance companies take advantage of car accident victims far more often than you might expect. Do not let yourself be victimized twice.

What to Expect After a Hit-And-Run Accident

Is normal to feel like you should panic after a hit-and-run accident. The scene may be chaotic, and you may be dealing with catastrophic injuries. However, you should do what you can to remain calm and immediately contact law enforcement officials for help.

Police will file crash reports and begin an investigation. Law enforcement will be responsible for figuring out the hit-and-run driver’s identity so you can hold them accountable. You do not need to wait for the fleeing driver to be identified to get started on your claim.

Your car accident lawyer with Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi can start working on your case as soon as possible after the accident. We can begin calculating the value of your damages and conducting our investigation. Once we know who is responsible, we will know whether we need to file a claim with the insurance company or immediately bring your case to trial.

Fault Insurance Claims

States handle insurance claims differently. Tennessee, for example, is a fault insurance state. When you are involved in an accident of any kind, the at-fault party is expected to pay.

However, when you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, things may be more complicated. Usually, drivers who flee the scene usually do so for a reason, whether that be because they have a suspended driver’s license, do not have active auto insurance coverage, or are simply panicked. For this reason, when you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may not be able to file an insurance claim until the liable party is identified.

At that point, the only way you can file a claim against their insurance policy is if they are insured. If they do not have enough auto insurance coverage, you will need to consider alternative options. Fortunately, in addition to facing criminal charges, the liable party could also be held accountable when you file a personal injury lawsuit against them.

No-Fault Insurance Claims

Not every state follows fault insurance laws. For example, nearby Kansas is a no-fault insurance state. Motorists who live in no-fault insurance states are legally required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, also commonly known as no-fault insurance.

No-fault insurance coverage pays out on claims no matter who is found liable for causing the accident. After a hit-and-run accident, you will file a claim against your own auto insurance policy. This means the amount of compensation you can recover will be tied to how much PIP coverage you purchased.

For this reason, it may be in your best interests to increase the amount of no-fault insurance coverage you carry on your personal vehicle. However, filing a claim against your own insurance policy could have additional consequences. For this reason, before you contact the insurance company, make sure you speak with your hit-and-run accident lawyer to discuss the specific circumstances of your case.

Potential Consequences of Filing a Claim Against Your Personal Policy

Whether you live in a no-fault or fault insurance state, if you purchase personal injury protection coverage, you have an opportunity to file a claim against your personal insurance policy. Many car accident law firms do not recommend injury victims file claims with their insurer. This is because there are several potential consequences you could face.

If you have previously filed claims with your insurance company, your insurance provider may decide to review your account. Upon further review, the insurer can decide to drop you from your insurance policy. In this case, the insurer would stop offering coverage and close your account, usually at the end of your current billing cycle.

There is also the possibility that the insurance company will increase your premiums. When the insurance company pays out on a claim, it will often look for opportunities to recoup what it pays you. What better way than by increasing your payments, which you may not be able to afford if you are still unable to work due to the extent of your injuries?

What Auto Insurance Policies Cover After a Hit-And-Run

Most auto insurance policies cover medical expenses and property damages. In almost all car accident claims, the policyholder’s insurance coverage limits will determine how much the insurance company is required to pay out on a given claim. If you increase your insurance coverage limits and live in a no-fault state, you may be able to get more of your expenses covered.

However, if you live in a fault state, you would be relying on the liable party’s auto insurance coverage. If you are hit by a driver who fled the scene, there is a very real possibility that they do not have any auto insurance coverage. If you have uninsured or uninsured motorist coverage, you may have the option of filing a claim with your insurance company.

As can be seen, there are several ways you can demand the financial compensation you are entitled to. Despite the fact that you were hit by a fleeing driver, you should not lose hope. With help from local law enforcement officials and your personal injury advocate, you can uncover the identity of the at-fault party and bring them to justice.

Connect with a Highly Experienced Hit-And-Run Accident Attorney Today

Hit-and-run accident claims can be challenging enough when you have the additional burden of trying to find out the identity of the driver that hit you. When the insurance company tries to drop your coverage or increase your rates, you could be further victimized. Protect your rights and prevent the insurer from taking advantage of you to further its bottom dollar. 

Meet with a knowledgeable and skilled hit-and-run accident lawyer with Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi and take back control of your injury claim. Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi proudly serve car accident victims throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, and nearby Mississippi. Have us put our decades of legal success to work for you when you complete our confidential contact form or call us to request a free, no-obligation consultation today.