Hit and Run Lawyer

Any accident is traumatic, but a hit-and-run accident is particularly infuriating. It’s one thing to be in a collision, but at least another human being is suffering through it with you and possibly even apologizing.

In an Indianapolis hit-and-run accident, it’s hard to believe when a driver hits you, they may not stick around to see if anyone needs immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, many people are irresponsible, and hit-and-run accidents are more common than most people realize.

How Can an Indianapolis Hit-and-Run Lawyer Help?

If the police locate the negligent driver who hit you and fled the scene, and if that driver has insurance, your attorney may still have to prove that the accident resulted from that driver’s negligence. Indiana is not a no-fault state.

Insurance companies are notoriously reluctant to part with their money, which is why they continue to succeed: they are for-profit businesses.

Crossen Law Firm will deal with the insurance companies for you, ensuring that your settlement amount is fair and reflects the extent of your injuries, property damage, and hardship. Car accident cases, especially hit-and-run cases, involve multiple forms and complex regulations. Crossen’s legal team will take the paperwork off your hands, reducing your burden.

You may sue if you cannot come to a settlement with adequate compensation.

The Crossen Law Firm team are expert Indianapolis car accident attorneys and will build a solid foundation for your civil lawsuit, including:

• Reviewing the accident report
• Looking at traffic camera footage
• Reviewing security footage from nearby businesses
• Examining medical records and bills
• Securing a reconstruction expert to create diagrams featuring each moving and parked car, traffic signals, pedestrians, and the path of hit-and-run drivers.
• Obtaining the accident police report
• Bringing in expert witnesses

While everyone’s experience after a car crash will be different, dealing with trauma, injuries, medical costs, and lost wages from missed work without legal representation is overwhelming.

With all these difficulties, an experienced Indiana hit-and-run accident lawyer can take the legal work and stress off your shoulders and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

How Common Are Hit-And-Run Accidents In Indiana?

• According to the NHTSA, a hit-and-run accident occurs every 43 seconds in the United States.
• Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to hit-and-run accidents: studies show that over the past 30 years, approximately 1 out of every five pedestrian deaths involved a hit-and-run accident.
• There were 45 fatal hit-and-run crashes in Indiana in 2016.

In 2019, there were 28,122 hit-and-run accidents in Indiana out of 217,396 total collisions that year.

The average number of hit-and-run accidents in each Indiana county was 8, and the median was 7.

Indiana counties with the highest rate of hit-and-run collisions were:

• Allen County: 20.6%
• Joseph County: 19.6%
• Marion County: 19.5%
• Lake County: 18.7%
• Vigo County: 18.4%

Have you been injured by a fleeing motorist who left the scene of a hit-and-run accident? Call Crossen’s hit-and-run accident lawyers at 317-401-8626 for a free consultation.

Common Causes of Hit-And-Run Accidents In Indianapolis

Distracted drivers cause many car accidents. Although drivers have always been distracted by eating, adjusting the radio, or talking with passengers, cell phones are the biggest distraction, leading to hit-and-run accidents.

Even though texting or using a cell phone can come with criminal charges, it is the top cause of car accidents.

Driving While Intoxicated Is A Leading Cause Of Hit-and-Run Cases

The biggest reason that people leave the scene of an Indianapolis hit-and-run accident is that they are intoxicated and do not want to face the consequences. The fact that they are under the influence may lower their inhibitions and cause them not to grasp the consequences of their actions.

In other words, the alcohol or drugs caused them to get into the accident in the first place and caused them to flee the accident scene.

Intoxicated drivers may hope that by the time the police find them, they will have sobered up and can avoid serious charges or jail time.

In Indiana, 3,926 collisions occurred with alcohol-impaired drivers involved.

• 1,014 of these collisions cause personal injury.
• 104 of these accidents involved fatalities.
• The CDC reports that deaths caused by distracted driving stayed under 2,000 each year until the early 2000s when people began to own handheld technology devices.
• Each day in the United States, distracted driving causes 8 deaths.
• In 2019, there were 6,261 accidents in Indiana caused by distracted drivers.

Why Do People Leave the Scene of the Accident?

An at-fault driver may flee the scene of an accident because they have outstanding warrants or previous convictions.

Some at-fault drivers are avoiding the police because they have unpaid tickets or are behind on child support payments.

Other hit-and-run at-fault parties may leave the scene because they know they are the at-fault driver and uninsured. Driving without a license comes with stiff penalties and is also a common reason for an at-fault driver to flee the scene of a car accident.

Drivers who cause accidents while driving stolen vehicles tend to flee after hit-and-run crashes to avoid criminal consequences. No matter what the reason a driver leaves the scene of the accident, an auto accident can lead to serious injury or death and leave injured parties with lifelong pain.

If you or a family member suffered a personal injury in a hit-and-run collision, call Crossen hit-and-run lawyers at 317-401-8626 for a free case review.

Tragic Indiana Hit-and-Run Accidents

November 28th, 2023: A man was killed after being hit by multiple cars in a hit-and-run crash on Indy’s southeast side. Police believe the victim was walking in the bike lane when he was hit and run by two drivers.

December 3rd, 2023: A Marion County man left the scene of a serious crash in Indiana. He struck a pedestrian who was attempting to cross the roadway. The pedestrian was seriously injured but is expected to recover.

January 8, 2024: A 76-year-old man from Marion was crossing a bridge on his bicycle. A vehicle also crossing the bridge, strikes him from behind and sent him off of his bicycle and onto the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

March 9th, 2024: A 27-year-old man hit another vehicle while intoxicated in Downtown Indianapolis that killed one man and injured two others.

April 3rd, 2024: A pedestrian was killed after being victim to a hit-and-run crash on Indianapolis’ northwest side

Laws Related to Hit-and-Run Accidents

Your hit-and-run accident lawyer will know how to navigate the multiple factors that go into building a successful personal injury case.

According to Indiana Code 9-26-1-1, the operator of a motor vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately stop the operator’s motor vehicle:

• (A) at the scene of the accident; or
• (B) as close to the accident as possible, in a manner that does not obstruct traffic more than is necessary.

Remain at the scene of the accident until the operator does the following:

• (A) Gives the operator’s name and address and the registration number of the motor vehicle the operator was driving to any person involved in the accident.
• (B) The operator’s driver’s license is to be displayed to any person involved in the accident, occupant, or person attending to any vehicle involved in the accident.

Speak with a Crossen hit-and-run attorney at 317-401-8626 for a free case evaluation.

Indiana Penalties for a Hit-and-Run Driver

Failure to stay at the scene of the accident is a criminal offense classified as a hit-and-run in Indiana, and it carries strict penalties.

Hit-and-run Indianapolis accident without injuries

• Class B misdemeanor charges
• Imprisonment for up to 180 days and a fine of up to $1,000

Hit-and-run with bodily injuries

• Class A misdemeanor charges
• Imprisonment for up to 1 year and a fine of up to $5,000

Hit-and-run with serious injuries

• Level 6 felony hit-and-run charges
• Imprisonment from 6 months-2.5 years and a fine of up to $10,000

Hit-and-run causing death or catastrophic injuries

• Level 4 felony charges
• Imprisonment from 2-12 years and a fine of up to $10,000

Hit-and-run while under the influence, causing a severe injury, catastrophic, or fatal injury

• Level 3 felony charges
• Imprisonment from 10-30 years and a fine of up to $10,000

There are also other penalties for hit-and-run accident drivers apart from the serious criminal offense charges outlined above. After a hit-and-run case, the driver’s own insurance company may double their premiums after a serious accident with injuries and property damage.

The hit-and-run driver may have trouble getting insurance after serious accidents or multiple violations.

The state may require that you file an SR-22. This is proof of future financial responsibility and may be imposed for various reasons for up to five years.

A valid SR-22 form must remain on file with the BMV for the required period.

Want to seek financial compensation for injuries suffered in a hit-and-run accident? Call Crossen hit-and-run lawyers at 317-401-8626 for a free consultation.

What You Should Do After Being Involved in a Hit-and-Run Crash in Indianapolis

• If you can see and remember the other driver’s license plate number, do so.
• If you saw the other driver, remember as many details as possible. Open your phone’s voice memo feature to record what you saw while it is still fresh in your mind.
  • Was the driver male or female?
  • Approximately what age?
  • What color hair?
  • Did they wear glasses?
  • What color and model was the other vehicle?
• Do not chase the other driver. This could cause another accident, one that may be even more serious.
• Phone the police immediately and give as many details as you can remember.
• Take photographs of your car and the scene, as in any other accident.
• Look for eyewitnesses and take their contact information.
• If you and your passengers are not trapped or seriously injured and your car is not in a safe place, move it to the side of the road.
• When you get home, speak to your insurance company.
• Try not to panic. Chances are you have uninsured motorist coverage.
• See a doctor as soon as possible. Many serious injuries are not immediately apparent. You will not know about your pain level until later because it can be masked by the adrenaline and shock of being in an accident.
• Stay off social media.
• Contact an experienced Indianapolis hit-and-run accident lawyer today to protect your rights related to a traffic accident.

Lost income due to a hit-and-run accident? Call Crossen hit-and-run accident lawyers at 317-401-8626 for a free consultation.

What Happens If the Other Driver Is Not Caught

When the other driver involved in an accident cannot be located by the authorities, the injured driver pursuing compensation follows a different route.

If the police identify the other driver, they can be held accountable, allowing you to seek reimbursement from their insurance provider for incurred expenses. However, in some situations, at-fault drivers evade identification, so you cannot file a claim against their insurance.

When the responsible driver remains an unidentified at-fault driver, you must initiate a claim with your insurance company. In Indiana, most insurance plans incorporate no-fault benefits like underinsured and uninsured driver coverage unless you opt out.

Uninsured coverage can be used to obtain compensation for medical bills, emergency care, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering resulting from the accident. Collision and other types of coverage may extend to cover damages to your vehicle.

Minimum liability limits are:

• Uninsured Motorists: Bodily Injury: $25,000/$50,000
• Property Damage: $25,000
• Underinsured Motorists: Bodily Injury: $50,000

Contact Crossen Law Firm – Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Attorney Trevor Crossen and his legal team at Crossen Law Firm are committed to getting you total compensation for your car accident case.

Insurance companies and medical bills do not work on your schedule or permit adequate time for healing and recovery before paperwork and inquiries start.

Therefore, getting help from experienced hit-and-run car accident lawyers on your side dramatically reduces your burden. You deserve an expert car accident lawyer who knows how to fight for your rights so you can focus on healing.

Get started today by scheduling a free consultation about your car accident case. We know how to fight a reluctant insurance company, navigate the complex world of personal injury lawsuits, and help you recover compensation when the responsible party cannot be found.

Call 317-401-8626 or contact a Crossen hit-and-run lawyer online today so we can help you file a successful personal injury case.