If you were injured by a hit-and-run driver, you may think that you have no way to get paid for your injuries. How do you hold someone liable if you can’t find them? In Maryland, if you have liability insurance, as required by law, then you also have uninsured motorist coverage, which means you can turn to you own insurance company for payment. You may also have personal injury protection (PIP). You may have to fight your own insurance company for the compensation you deserve. You need the help of an experienced Maryland auto accident attorney.
Finding the Hit-and-run Driver
Whenever possible, it is best to find the hit-and-run driver. You may be able to file a claim with their insurance company. Of course, lack of insurance is one of the many reasons drivers flee the scene of an accident.
Immediately after a hit-and-run, you should record everything that you can about the vehicle and the driver. License plate number, or partial plate, and a description of the car, driver and any passengers, is a good start. If there were witnesses collect their contact information. We may also be able to obtain footage from cameras in the area, such as security cameras.
Your Insurance
In Maryland, every liability policy includes uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. This pays for your injuries if the at-fault driver is uninsured. It also pays when you can’t find the driver. The state minimum is $30,000 in damages. If you purchased more than the liability minimum, your UM/UIM coverage automatically matches your liability coverage unless you waived the increase. UM/UIM pays for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage and other expenses.
PIP is another type of coverage you may have purchased that pays for injury-related costs, regardless of fault. PIP does not pay for damage to your vehicle, but pays for your damages related to your injuries, including medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
If you have been injured by a hit-and-run driver, in Maryland, please call Patrick D. Troxler, Esq., right away at 301-709-7195 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.
