Hit and run car accidents in Connecticut present unique challenges and complexities. When a driver flees the scene of a crash, it can leave victims feeling helpless and uncertain about their next steps. Understanding what constitutes a hit and run and knowing your legal rights is crucial. Our team of seasoned car accident attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can help you navigate these difficult situations. Call today for a free remote or in-person consultation.
A hit and run occurs anytime someone leaves the scene of a crash when they have a responsibility to stop. If someone’s driving a car and they hit someone else, and they don’t stop to render assistance or to speak with the other driver to exchange information, that would be considered a hit and run. However, a hit and run could also be a situation where there isn’t any physical contact.
For example, suppose you’re driving down the road, and somebody runs a stop sign, but you’re able to avoid them so that you don’t have any contact with their car. However, in the process of avoiding them, you crash into a tree and get seriously injured. The question arises: Is that really a hit and run if there wasn’t any contact between your vehicle and the other vehicle? The answer to that is yes, it is a hit and run even though there wasn’t actual contact because you were responding to another vehicle that ran a stop sign, and as a result, you lost control and crashed into a tree.
Would you be allowed to make a claim under the uninsured motorist provision of your policy? Yes, you would. However, you have to be able to prove there was, in fact, another car that ran a stop sign. So, there has to be some corroborating evidence, such as an eyewitness or video footage. It’s difficult to successfully claim a hit and run in Connecticut under such circumstances if you don’t have any corroborating evidence.
The critical difference between hit and run crashes and other types of car accidents in Connecticut is that you don’t know the other driver’s identity. Without knowing the identity of the other driver, you can’t bring a legal claim against them. So, you’re left having to make a claim against your own insurance policy under the uninsured motorist provision.
Many people don’t understand the importance of having uninsured motorist coverage on their automobile policy. Because of this, often, people don’t have enough individual coverage to pay for a more serious or catastrophic injury.
In Connecticut, the minimum coverage amount is $25,000 of liability and uninsured motorist coverage. If you’re a little older, and you have more assets like a home, it’s typical that you would have higher liability and uninsured motorist limits. But even if you have $100,000 or $300,000 of liability and uninsured motorist coverage, it likely won’t be enough if you have a more significant injury. Our lawyers can review your policy and help you pursue a claim for as much compensation as possible.
In some situations, uncovering the identity of the careless or reckless driver who hit you and fled the scene may be possible. If there are highway cameras in the area or surveillance cameras from nearby commercial businesses, our proactive attorneys could request copies to see if the driver’s license plate is visible on any video footage. Sometimes, Ring doorbells capture a crash that happens on a neighborhood street. However, keep it mind it can be difficult to identify a vehicle with footage that isn’t of sufficient clarity.
When you or a loved one are involved in a hit and run car accident in Connecticut, it is important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Identifying the at-fault driver and securing the compensation you deserve can be challenging, but our dedicated legal team is ready to help. Contact D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC today to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Consultations are always free and absolutely no-obligation.
