Charlotte Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
Being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is frustrating and frightening. Not only are you dealing with injuries and vehicle damage, but the person responsible has fled the scene, leaving you wondering how you’ll pay for medical bills and repairs. It would be best if you never had to worry about covering these expenses when someone else’s reckless decision caused your accident.
At Stewart Law Offices, our Charlotte hit-and-run accident attorneys understand the unique challenges these cases present and have the experience needed to pursue every available avenue for compensation. With millions of dollars recovered for our clients over three decades, we know how to investigate these complex cases and fight for the justice you deserve.
What Is a Hit and Run in North Carolina?
Under North Carolina law, a hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without fulfilling their legal responsibilities. Every driver involved in a crash must stop their vehicle, check on others involved, provide their contact and insurance information, and notify law enforcement when the accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
Leaving the scene, especially when someone is injured, is a criminal offense in North Carolina. Unfortunately, this reckless decision leaves victims struggling to obtain compensation for their damages.
What Should I Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Charlotte?
After a hit-and-run accident, immediate actions are vital for strengthening your case.
Crucial Steps to Take:
- Call 911 immediately: Report the crash to law enforcement and request medical help if necessary. The official accident report they create will be essential evidence for your claim.
- Gather Vehicle Details: If you are physically able, try to note as many details as possible about the vehicle that fled. This includes:
- Make, model, and color
- License plate number (even a partial)
- Direction of travel
- Any distinguishing features or existing damage on the vehicle
- Document Information Quickly: Write down these details as soon as possible while the memory is fresh.
How to Investigate the Accident Scene
If it is safe to do so, you should thoroughly document the accident scene. Take photographs that capture:
- All vehicle damage
- Your visible injuries
- The accident location
- Road conditions and traffic signals
- Skid marks and collision debris
This evidence is crucial for establishing the details of the incident and can aid law enforcement in identifying the driver who fled the scene.
Once the police conclude their investigation, be sure to request a copy of the official crash report. This vital document contains important information, including:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Witness contact information
- The officer’s observations and determination of fault
- Descriptions of all vehicle damage
Witnesses Can Strengthen Your Case
Witness testimony can be one of the most powerful tools in hit-and-run cases. If bystanders saw the crash or saw a vehicle fleeing, their accounts may help identify the at-fault driver or corroborate your version of events.
Make sure you collect witness names and contact information at the scene. When that’s not possible, an attorney can help track down witnesses through police reports or a follow-up investigation.
Don’t Wait to See a Doctor
Injuries from motor vehicle accidents, especially hit-and-run crashes, may not be immediately obvious. Concussions, soft-tissue injuries, and internal trauma can take hours or days to present symptoms.
Getting medical treatment soon after the accident:
- Supports your health and recovery
- Creates documented medical evidence
- Links injuries directly to the crash in the records used by insurers and courts
Delaying medical care gives insurance companies an excuse to downplay your injuries or dispute whether they resulted from the hit and run.
Who Will Pay for Your Losses After a Hit and Run in Charlotte?
When the at-fault driver is missing or uninsured, you may still recover compensation through other channels:
- Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: If you have auto insurance with UM/UIM benefits, your policy may cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Collision coverage: If you carry collision insurance, it can pay for repairs to your vehicle regardless of fault.
- Other involved parties: If another negligent driver contributed to the crash, their insurer may be responsible.
An experienced attorney can examine all potential sources of compensation and help you pursue them in the proper order.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Hit and Run Accident?
Our aggressive legal representation will focus on securing the maximum compensation you deserve following a hit-and-run accident. This includes coverage for:
- Medical Costs: Past, present, and future medical expenses, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, and necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Income: Lost earnings and any reduction in your future earning capacity.
- Property Damage: Costs for repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
You Have Options if the At-Fault Driver Can’t Be Found
Law enforcement doesn’t always succeed in identifying hit-and-run drivers. If the responsible driver can’t be found, you can turn to your own auto insurance policy for compensation. Uninsured motorist coverage is designed for situations in which the at-fault driver lacks insurance or cannot be identified. Your UM coverage can compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repair costs.
If your policy includes medical payments coverage, you can also use that to reimburse medical expenses regardless of fault. These coverages ensure you’re not left paying for someone else’s negligence out of your own pocket.
What’s the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in North Carolina?
You have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under North Carolina’s statute of limitations. Missing this deadline means losing your right to seek compensation forever, no matter how strong your case. However, waiting too long makes it harder to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and build a compelling claim. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and critical details become difficult to verify.
Contact Stewart Law Offices immediately after your hit-and-run accident so we can begin investigating while the evidence is fresh.
Visit Our Hit and Run Accident Attorneys in Charlotte
Speak to a Charlotte Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
Don’t let a hit-and-run driver leave you feeling powerless. At Stewart Law Offices, we will work to relieve your burden from the first time you call. Our North Carolina hit-and-run accident lawyers have the drive, resources, and decades of collective experience needed to thoroughly investigate these complex cases.
We’ll explore every option to identify the at-fault driver and pursue compensation from all available sources.
You will have the full support of our compassionate team from beginning to end, and we will treat you like we would a member of our family.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Stewart Law Offices
Our firm charges no fees unless we win money for you, so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal battle. We’re available 24/7, and if you’re unable to visit our Charlotte office, we’ll come to you, whether at home or in the hospital. Call (704) 521-5000 or contact us online today for a complimentary, no-obligation case evaluation.