Hit and run car accidents in Bartlett present unique issues when the crash causes injuries. An injured victim may need an attorney to pursue an uninsured motorist claim if they are unable to identify the driver who caused the accident. If you were injured in a hit and run accident and can identify the driver, you may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact the Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs as soon as possible to determine your available legal options.
Fleeing the Scene of an Accident Is Illegal
The state imposes serious penalties when a driver is convicted of a hit and run collision in Bartlett. Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-102 stipulates that any driver involved in a car crash that causes property damage must stop and remain at the scene of the accident until all parties can exchange relevant information, such as name, registration number, and insurance information.
A driver who fails to stop at an accident scene with property damage under $1,500 may face a class B misdemeanor, while damage over $1,500 upgrades the crime to a class A misdemeanor. Uninsured drivers may also face a one-year license suspension.
If the accident causes injury, Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-101 states that the crime is a class A misdemeanor, and if it results in death, a class E felony. The potential penalties for these violations are up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $500 for class B misdemeanors or up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and up to $2,500 for class A misdemeanors. Additionally, Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-106(a) requires drivers to notify authorities if property damage exceeds $50.
Pursuing an Uninsured Motorist Claim
A common reason that an at-fault driver may flee the scene of an accident in Bartlett is that they are uninsured or have inadequate insurance coverage. According to the state’s financial responsibility law under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-102, state drivers must obtain insurance with the following minimum coverage limits:
- $25,000 for an injury or death per single accident
- $50,000 for total injuries or deaths per single accident
- $25,000 for any property damage per single accident
Even when an accident victim can identify the party responsible for a Bartlett hit and run accident, an injured party cannot recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer if they do not maintain adequate insurance coverage as required by state law.
In this case, the injured victim may need to pursue an uninsured motorist claim with their insurance. David and Elissa can help navigate the process of recovering compensation. Insurance companies are notorious for offering compensation that does not adequately cover the harm or damages suffered in the accident, but an attorney can help protect the victim’s legal rights by negotiating with the insurer or helping to take legal action.
Proving Negligence in Hit and Run Accidents
If an accident victim can identify the uninsured motorist or driver responsible for a hit and run crash in Bartlett, they can pursue a negligence claim directly against that individual. To prove negligence, an injured party must first show that the defendant breached a duty of care by engaging in reckless behavior. The victim must also show that they suffered harm that was caused by the responsible party. Compensation can consist of economic losses, such as lost wages or property damage, and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Since many hit and run accidents occur because the responsible party has committed another crime, this evidence can help bolster a negligence claim. Some examples of common driver violations that lead to a hit and run include:
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Using a cell phone or electronic device
David and Elissa have experience helping clients pursue negligence claims based on hit and run accidents.
Contact a Bartlett Lawyer After a Hit and Run Crash
Hit and run car accidents in Bartlett can have a devastating emotional and financial impact on you and your loved ones. Car accident injuries can lead to extended missed time from work and mounting medical bills.
Unfortunately, accidents involving a driver who flees the scene are sometimes fatal. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can help a deceased victim’s family pursue a wrongful death claim. Call today for a free consultation with one of our compassionate attorneys.
