Many people experience a car crash at some point. Both drivers stop, exchange information, and move on. Yet, when the other driver flees, you may face an incredibly challenging outcome. It becomes hard for you to recover damages owed to you, even when you did nothing to cause your injuries.
At Postman Law, our hit and run accident lawyer in Schaumburg provides victims with solutions. We fight to help you recover damages in any way possible.
Request a free consultation with a Schaumburg car accident lawyer now. We have helped over 1.4 million clients.
The Benefits of Hiring a Hit and Run Accident Attorney in Schaumburg
Hit and run accidents can be devastating and terrifying. Victims often face medical costs, time lost at work, and pain and suffering with no simple way to recover damages.
When you hire our Schaumburg hit and run accident attorney, we work to build your claim and recover your losses. There are several benefits to working with us.
- We will investigate your accident fully. Often, we invest additional time and resources reviewing your accident and damages, increasing the likelihood of determining who caused it. We work with the police to seek out those who put you in this situation.
- Our attorneys handle insurance companies. You may be able to file a claim with your insurance provider if you have uninsured motorist coverage. That does not make the process any easier. Expect us to handle all communication with the insurers.
- We seek third parties that may be at fault. You can trust that our hit and run accident lawyers will identify any other parties responsible for your losses. That might include restaurants overserving alcohol to the drunk driver who hit you or other drivers who contributed.
These steps allow our legal team to pursue full and fair compensation for you. Our extensive network of resources and industry experts supports us as we seek legal action.
Even if you think there is nothing that can be done, our Schaumburg personal injury lawyer at Postman Law is ready to help you determine what your legal options are.
For a free legal consultation with a hit-and-run accident lawyer serving Schaumburg, call 844-767-8626
Your Rights Under Illinois Law
If you are in a crash with a car that flees the scene, you can treat this as an uninsured motorist claim. That means you can file a claim with your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
Because the state requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash in coverage, you can file a claim under that policy. This falls under Illinois law, 215 ILCS 5/143a.
Illinois policies include a physical-contact rule. This means the fleeing vehicle must have actually struck your car for you to file a UM claim. If the driver swerved towards you and did not strike you, they could still be held liable if you can prove who they are and what they did. However, your UM policy will not cover these losses.
We encourage you to speak to our legal team before you agree to settle these types of cases and claims. Victims of hit and run accidents do not deserve additional layers of complications. Let us seek fair treatment under the law.
Comparative Negligence Laws Matter
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence law, 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, which allows victims to seek compensation even if they are at fault. You must be no more than 49% at fault or less to recover those damages.
If the insurance company tries to blame you, or evidence shows you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any losses. If you are under that percentage, the insurance company reduces your claim by the percentage of fault attributed to you. Let us work to minimize those risks.
Schaumburg Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
What Compensation You Can Receive in a Hit and Run Accident
Whether or not the driver is identified, victims must document all losses and provide proof of value. The law allows you to pursue compensation for any physical, emotional, or financial losses you have as a result of the other driver’s actions. This typically includes:
- Medical costs, including current and future losses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Physical and emotional distress
- Loss of earning capacity
If your family member lost their life in a car accident involving a hit and run accident, let our legal team handle the entire case. Victim families have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, but the process is not challenging once we identify the at-fault party. Expect our wrongful death attorney in Schaumburg to work diligently to build your case in these situations.
Click to contact our Car Accident Lawyers in Schaumburg today
Filing Deadlines for Hit and Run Accidents in Illinois
Victims of a hit and run accident should prioritize healing and documenting their losses. However, the state has a two-year statute of limitations, 735 ILCS 5/13-202, that you cannot ignore. If you miss this two-year mark from the date of your injury, the court will not hear your case.
There are some exceptions to this, especially for minors under 18 at the time the law was enacted. Also note that claims against the city or other public organizations can shorten this deadline. Note that some UM policies will have additional time limitations you must adhere to in order to file a claim.
They may have a shorter deadline for filing a hit-and-run claim than this two-year law. If you miss it, the insurance company may not cover your losses. Let us review your case thoroughly to determine your right to recover damages.
After an accident, we strongly encourage you to seek medical care, then let our attorneys get to work building your case. You can expect us to pursue fair compensation, identify the at-fault party, and fight for fair treatment.
Seek a Free Consultation with a Schaumburg Hit and Run Accident Attorney
Speak to Postman Law today about your rights. Our Schaumburg hit and run accident lawyer provides answers and legal support in difficult situations. Schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help.