Will a Hit-and-Run Raise My Insurance?
Hit-and-run accidents are shocking events. When you are at your most vulnerable, the party who hit you drives off and leaves you to fend for yourself. However, the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exposed. How do you recover the compensation you deserve? Will a hit-and-run accident raise your insurance rates? What comes next?
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At De Castroverde Personal Injury & Accident, our legal team wants to help prepare you for what’s ahead. That means helping you understand what steps to take following a hit-and-run accident and how the accident may impact your financial standing.
Steps to Take After Being the Victim of a Hit-and-Run
Today, sneezing is enough to increase your car insurance rates. Individuals hit by careless hit-and-run drivers may worry that filing a claim could raise their car insurance premiums. That feels significantly unfair when you weren’t the one to cause the accident.
Unfortunately, anytime you file a claim with your insurance provider, you risk having your rates increased by the insurance company. Insurance companies can revoke premium discounts and raise rates at their discretion. However, there are steps you can take to help protect your legal rights and potentially avoid massive rate increases if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Nevada.
Call the Authorities – If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, immediately call the authorities for help. Local authorities can help render aid, control traffic, and compile a police report that may strengthen your claim. Nevada laws are unambiguous. Leaving the scene of an accident is strictly prohibited. All drivers must stop at the collision scene, render aid, and exchange information with the other motorists involved.
Document the Scene – Document the scene as thoroughly as possible. Take photographs and video of your vehicle’s damage, your injuries, and the scene. Be sure to photograph any debris left by the other vehicle, skid marks, or other evidence of the crash. Talk to witnesses at the scene and ask for their contact information.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately – The adrenaline from being involved in a hit-and-run crash can mask the signs of significant injuries. Always seek medical attention immediately after a crash, no matter what. Additionally, your medical records may be vital evidence in your accident claim.
Contact an Attorney – Get an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights and manage communication between your insurer, police, and other involved parties. You can focus on your recovery while your attorney does the heavy lifting, seeking maximum compensation for your injuries.
Follow Your Treatment Plan – Follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter for your health and safety. Sticking to your treatment plan is vital because you do not want to give the insurance company any reason to doubt the severity of your injuries. Skipping treatments or office visits could jeopardize the success of your claim and its value or impact your insurance rates.
Stay Off Social Media – Never post about the accident online. Now is the time to go silent on social media altogether. Even posting a picture of yourself looking like you enjoy yourself after the accident can be an issue. An insurer can find and scrutinize your online presence, potentially hurting your claim. Avoid using online social media platforms until an attorney resolves your claim.
Keep Documents Related to the Hit-and-Run Crash – Set aside all documents about the hit-and-run crash, like medical bills and receipts, repair receipts, police reports, and insurance paperwork. Your attorney can use these documents to estimate the fair value of your claim. These documents may also help support your compensation claim.
Are you worried about a hit-and-run claim impacting your car insurance premiums, even though you aren’t at fault? Do not give an official statement to the insurance company. Discuss your case with a knowledgeable Las Vegas car accident attorney who can help manage communication between you and the insurer.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help You Navigate the Aftermath
A knowledgeable Las Vegas car accident attorney actively advocates for you. Insurance companies want to keep their payouts low so profits remain at an all-time high. You may not be at fault for causing a hit-and-run accident. Still, an insurer may use tactics to get you to admit partial liability to justify denying your claim, diminishing your claim’s value, or increasing your car insurance rates. A Las Vegas car accident attorney can fight against these strategies while helping you recover maximum compensation for your injuries.
What can the legal team at De Castroverde Personal Injury & Accident do to help you following a Las Vegas hit-and-run accident? We can:
- Thoroughly investigate the cause of the hit-and-run accident
- Help identify potentially liable parties
- Help you use your uninsured motorist or regular health insurance if the hit-and-run driver cannot be located.
- Collect and preserve evidence
- Manage communication between you, the insurer, and the authorities
- Calculate the value of your claim
- Negotiate aggressively for the compensation you need
- Prepare a civil case for trial when necessary
- Represent you in court with a well-prepared argument for compensation
Hit-and-run accidents are traumatic events that pull you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown realm. At De Castroverde Personal Injury & Accident, we know you have questions about getting through this challenging time. Our legal team offers personalized legal advice in a supportive environment. We work hard to pursue the money you deserve and may be able to help mitigate the circumstances that could lead to an increase in your insurance premiums.
Contact an Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Today for Help
Has a hit-and-run accident left you feeling confused and vulnerable? Help is available. At De Ca stroverde Personal Injury & Accident, we can work with you to pursue compensation for your injuries and mitigate the financial fallout from filing an insurance claim.
Discuss your situation with an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney today. Contact our office to request a confidential case evaluation. Let us outline your legal rights and personalized options for recovering money for your injuries.