Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Johnson City TN

hit and run car accident

After a car accident, the last thing anybody wants to see is the other driver speeding off into the distance. In addition to the pain, trauma, and financial expense of the crash itself, people on the receiving end of hit-and-run accidents have to live with the uncertainty of whether they will find the justice they deserve.

If you have suffered injuries because of a hit-and-run driver, do not lose hope. The Johnson City hit-and-run accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm have the experience, skills, and knowledge to help you pursue compensation for your losses. We can help even if the other driver is never found.

Our seasoned legal team has many decades of combined experience successfully representing people injured in car accidents in Johnson City and throughout East Tennessee. We are ready to assist you with your claim, too. The sooner you consult with us, the sooner we can begin pursuing legal opportunities on your behalf.

Contact us today for a free case review with one of our experienced hit-and-run accident attorneys.

What Are Hit-and-Run Accidents?

As the name implies, a hit-and-run is a type of collision in which one or more of the involved drivers leaves the scene without stopping to check on the other people involved. This situation can occur with any automobile accident, including:

Whatever the circumstances, hit-and-runs leave accident victims in a vulnerable situation. If their injuries prevent them from calling for medical assistance, the unnecessary extra time it takes to receive aid can exacerbate their conditions and lead to lengthier recovery times.

Why Do Hit-and-Run Accidents Happen in Johnson City?

Those of us who understand our responsibilities to other road users cannot comprehend why a driver would flee the scene of an accident. Hit-and-run accidents happen across East Tennessee for several reasons, including when the at-fault driver:

  • Is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Is uninsured or underinsured
  • Is underage or has a suspended license
  • Has an outstanding warrant out for their arrest
  • Feels overwhelmed by a sense of panic and leaves the scene without realizing what they are doing

Yet while these situations might explain the at-fault driver’s actions, they are no excuse for neglecting their moral and legal duties to other people involved in an accident.

Tennessee Hit-and-Run Laws

Tennessee Code sections 55-10-101 through 104 cover the state’s hit-and-run laws. According to these statutes, any driver involved in a motor vehicle accident must stop as close to the scene as safely as possible without blocking traffic. Once they have stopped, they must alert emergency medical services and assist anyone who has suffered injuries in the crash.

Each driver must also exchange the following information with other drivers involved in the crash:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Vehicle registration number
  • Driver’s license number (if requested)

Drivers who hit an unattended vehicle or other property must stop and attempt to notify the owner or operator if the collision resulted in damage. Failing this, the driver must leave a note in a conspicuous location, providing their name, address, insurance information, and a brief description of what happened.

A driver who does not comply with these laws may face criminal charges, fines, and jail time, depending on the circumstances.

Who Pays Me Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident?

The source of your compensation for a hit-and-run will depend on whether the authorities can find the at-fault driver. If they are successful in doing so, you will be able to file an automobile accident claim against the other driver’s insurance policy. Your compensation may include a financial package to address the following losses:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity 
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage

If you cannot identify the at-fault driver, you will need to explore a different avenue to cover your losses. Tennessee auto insurance policies include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage by default. If your policy includes this provision, you can claim compensation up to the limits of your coverage. A UM policy effectively treats a hit-and-run driver as an uninsured one. Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage and health insurance can also provide a measure of coverage for medical expenses.

Why You Need an Attorney for a UM Claim in Johnson City

As with all insurance claims, those involving hit-and-run drivers can quickly become a complicated process. If you are trying to recover compensation from your UM coverage with your own insurer, you will need to convincingly demonstrate that the losses you suffered came about because of the other driver who fled the scene. In other words, you will still need to show that the other driver was at fault for the accident. An experienced car accident attorney will know how to prove your case.

Furthermore, a seasoned lawyer understands how to calculate the true value of your losses and can negotiate aggressively on your behalf. Any insurance company will work hard to avoid paying out the full sum you deserve, whether you are dealing with another driver’s insurance provider or your own. You need the esteemed legal team at The Terry Law Firm to fight for your rights and interests.

Steps to Take After a Johnson City Hit-and-Run Accident

Your top priority after any traffic accident should be to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not think you are hurt, a doctor’s examination can detect any hidden injuries you may have sustained. That can help both your physical recovery and your accident claim.

Save any documentation about the accident you can. Write down what you remember while it is still fresh in your mind. If you have not already, request the police report the responding officer should have prepared.

As soon as possible, contact our qualified Johnson City car accident attorneys. The lawyers at The Terry Law Firm are ready to listen to your story and help you understand all the options available to you.

Talk to an Experienced Johnson City Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney Today

If you have suffered injuries because of a hit-and-run driver in Johnson City, you deserve compensation for your losses. Contact the East Tennessee car accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm today for a free consultation. Our seasoned attorneys are ready to review your situation and explore all your legal options for recovering maximum compensation. We will give you the individualized attention you and your case deserve.

Car Accidents

How Do I Pay for My Car Accident Injuries?

If you have been involved in a car wreck case, there are generally three (3) avenues for payment of medical expenses. 

  1. The first and most common method of payment is for persons who have been injured to pay for their medical care with their own health insurance. This does not create any problems and, in fact, most of the time this is what we recommend at The Terry Law Firm.
  2. Persons involved in car wreck cases can use something referred to as “med pay” to pay for some of their medical bills associated with their car wreck case. “Med pay” coverage is coverage afforded by your automobile insurance to pay for injuries sustained in the car wreck. 
  3. Occasionally, persons will be on the job working when they are injured in a car wreck. In these circumstances, sometimes it is best to use workers’ compensation to pay for your injuries sustained in a car wreck.  

If one of these methods is not available to you, contact The Terry Law Firm at our Morristown, Greeneville, or Sevierville office.

Will My Insurance Rates Go Up If I Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Under Tennessee law, insurance carriers cannot raise your insurance as a result of a person utilizing their uninsured motorist coverage. Tennessee law states explicitly that if you are in an accident that is no fault of your own, your insurance carrier cannot raise your insurance rates due to your use of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that you purchased.