Hit and Run Accidents Attorneys In Richmond & Tappahannock, Virginia

Run Accidents

Under Virginia law, if you are a driver involved in an accident where someone is injured or there is property damage, you are required to stop and “render reasonable assistance” to the victims. You must also remain at or near the scene and report the accident to local law enforcement. Anyone who ignores these obligations and simply leaves the accident scene can be charged with a felony in some cases.

Unfortunately, there are many reckless and negligent drivers who ignore these rules. Each year there are thousands of so-called hit-and-run accidents throughout Virginia. And many of these accidents leave seriously injured victims lying in the street hoping someone will assist them. If you have been such a victim and need legal advice on what steps to take next, Richmond hit and run accidents lawyer Ryan Wind can help. His team at Wind Law, LLC, can investigate your accident and potentially identify your hit-and-run driver. Even if the driver remains unknown, we can also advise you on seeking coverage under your own insurance policy.

Why Do Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident?

Despite the threat of criminal prosecution, many drivers choose to flee the scene following an accident. This is especially true in cases where a motorist strikes a pedestrian or bicyclist. There are few reasons a driver might choose to “hit and run”:

  • Lack of insurance. Virginia is one of only two states where drivers can get out of purchasing auto insurance. This means that Virginia also has a higher than normal percentage of uninsured vehicles on the road.
  • Legal problems. Some drivers flee the scene because they do not want to deal with the police. The driver might have an expired or suspended license, or they may even have an outstanding warrant for their arrest on an unrelated matter. Or the drivers know they recently had a couple of drinks and suspect they might be arrested for drunk driving.
  • Panic. Even drivers that are fully insured and have never been in trouble with the law may simply fear the consequences of potentially causing an accident, so they flee out of sheer panic.

Since Virginia is an at-fault state, a hit and run driver can be sued for damages if they are eventually identified and located. But even if the driver is found, they may still lack insurance or only purchase the minimum amount of liability coverage required by law. This is often not enough to actually fully compensate the victims for their injuries. So the victim may be forced to seek compensation from their own insurance company, provided they have uninsured motorist coverage.

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Contact Our Hit And Run Accidents Lawyers in Richmond & Tappahannock Today

If you are injured in a hit and run accident, it is important that you gather as much information as you can at the scene and contact law enforcement right away. Your next step should be to speak with an experienced Richmond hit and run accidents lawyer who can assist you in conducting a more complete investigation. Contact our personal injury lawyers in Richmond at Wind Law, LLC, today to schedule an initial consultation.