B. Geoffrey Harrison PA Personal Injury Law Firm

Have you been injured in an accident?

Don’t be a victim twice.

Your Options Following A Hit-And-Run

Hit-and-run injuries are disturbing at every level. Not only did the other driver not care about your well-being, causing the accident, but then he or she also took off, leaving you injured in your vehicle or even on the street.

After you get over the shock of that, you must deal with the maddening truth: You can’t sue the driver’s insurance company, unless you were able to get the license number. You’re stuck with the bill for their negligence.

Let the police worry about tracking down the driver, who will face criminal penalties. Let me, Geoffrey Harrison, assist you in getting compensated for your injury.

Getting compensation after a hit-and-run is an uphill battle — but I won’t back down. I will fight the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve. I won’t let you be a victim twice. Call me today at 228-435-4878.

Why Do Drivers Drive Away?

  • They have no insurance.
  • They have no documentation at all, and fear deportation.
  • They are drunk, and already have one or more DUIs.
  • They simply freak out. They are often young or inexperienced.

It is not unusual for hit-and-run drivers to turn themselves in after a day or two. Just as often, however, they do not.

A Solution To The Problem

The law provides a solution for you in this situation. You are allowed to request compensation, not from the hit-and-run driver’s insurance, but from your own. This is a feature of UM (uninsured motorist) coverage, which is part of most people’s insurance policies.

Having UM coverage is critical. Without it, you can only ask for compensation for damage to your vehicle, not to your body. You can only ask your insurance company to cover medical costs if the other car actually struck you. Running you off the road is not sufficient. Mississippi law – the insurance company’s best friend – says you must make actual contact with the other car to be compensated.

Punitive Damages In Hit-And-Run Cases

Punitive damages are possible in hit-and-run cases. These damages are designed to serve as a warning to others that such behavior will not be tolerated. Damages are calculated using two standards:

  • How egregious the incident was (How conscious and reckless was the action?)
  • How much money it will take to properly punish the defendant (How rich is the offender?)

The Right Lawyer For Injured People In Biloxi And Gulfport

The law is complex, and there are thousands of cases on the books in Mississippi and Louisiana that may have a bearing on what happened to you. Hire an attorney who deals every day with this complexity, and all those legal precedents.

Do you have questions about your rights after a hit-and-run accident? Contact me 24/7 and ask me, at my Biloxi office at 228-435-4878. Or ask me your questions by email.