What’s worse than getting involved in a car accident? Being injured in an accident where the at-fault party flees the scene. We know this can make it feel as though you have no options. However, you do. Read on to learn more about what you can do if you’re injured in an accident where the at-fault party can’t be found and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
The statute of limitations brings a complication to the situation
In order for a family to file a wrongful death claim if they lose a loved one, they only have two years. If the at-fault party is a government or local agency, then the statute of limitations may be only six months old. The same holds true for any other type of personal injury claim. You have between six months and two years – which can be complicated if the negligent party left the scene of the accident.
There may be other options to extend the statute of limitations
The above is true in most cases but can be more complicated when there was a hit and run accident. In that case, you may be able to toll the statute of limitations, which essentially means to pause it. This means that the statute won’t expire if there are extenuating circumstances – including not finding the at-fault party. Other reasons that you may toll statutes of limitations include an injury that was suffered by a minor, which can be put off until the minor is 18.
In the event of a hit and run, the person who was at fault for and left the accident can be arrested, charged, and convicted for the crime. If this happens after the two-year personal injury claim statute of limitations then it’s likely a judge would approve tolling the charges. To find out for sure, contact a personal injury attorney.
You may be entitled to several kinds of damages
Depending on the accident and the injuries involved in it, you may be eligible for damages. They could include medical expenses right after the injury and future projected medical expenses related to the injury, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. If you can no longer do the same type of work you did before the accident then you may be eligible for compensation for this.
The bottom line is that you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Even if the police have not yet located the at-fault party, the sooner we begin working on your case, the more evidence we can save. We have been through these situations many times and we know how to ensure our clients get the medical treatment they need, don’t sign documents they shouldn’t sign, and are set up for the best possible outcome. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for your free legal consultation.
