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423-928-0165
423-928-0165
The hit-and-run injury lawyers at The Haynes Firm have been helping victims of irresponsible drivers pursue and obtain compensation for more than four decades. We know that, even when the other driver takes off, you have the right to seek damages for your injuries, and you may have more options than you think. Talking to an experienced and dedicated attorney can help you understand your rights and options and guide you towards the most effective way to proceed with your claim.
To schedule a FREE and confidential case review with one of the hit-and-run injury lawyers at The Haynes Firm, call us at 423-928-0165 today. Located in Johnson City, our experienced attorneys serve clients living throughout Tennessee.
In the simplest terms, a hit and run occurs when a driver causes a crash and leaves without doing what the law requires. As outlined in Tennessee Code § 55-10-103, when a crash results in injury, death, or vehicle damage, drivers are required to:
If a motorist fails in these requirements, they’ve likely committed a hit and run.
Leaving a crash scene can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on whether someone is injured or killed. However, this relies on the negligent driver being caught, and even when criminal penalties are imposed, that will usually do nothing to help with your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
When you are injured in a hit-and-run accident, you need a dedicated and experienced attorney on your side who can help you seek the fair compensation you deserve. At The Haynes Firm, our Johnson City hit-and-run injury lawyers are here to review your accident, discuss your legal options, and help you secure full compensation.
The steps you take after a hit-and-run can play a role in how your claim is handled. If possible, while on the scene of the accident:
Witnesses to a hit-and-run can be extremely important in these situations. Tennessee requires that either direct contact between the uninsured vehicle and the vehicle you are traveling in occurs, or that the existence of the unknown driver be established by witnesses other than the occupants of the vehicle in which you are traveling.
Try to get details of the other vehicle, such as plate number (even partial), make and model, color, damage, direction of travel, and a description of the driver. These things can help the police track down the hit-and-run driver. Do not chase the other driver. It’s dangerous and can result in potentially violent confrontations.
After you are cleared from the scene of the accident:
The most important thing you can do after you have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident is to call a qualified attorney. Your claim may need to go through your insurance policy, but your insurance company may not be in your corner. Your hit-and-run injury lawyer can assist with the claims process, make sure you are treated fairly, and fight for the maximum compensation available to you.
Not so long ago, hit-and-run drivers might have had an easier time escaping justice. Today, cameras are just about everywhere, making it that much harder for negligent and irresponsible drivers to get away with this type of behavior.
Evidence may come from:
This is where having an experienced Johnson City hit-and-run injury lawyer becomes all the more important. They can move quickly to preserve the evidence necessary for establishing your case and, when possible, identify and hold accountable the party responsible for harming you.
If the other driver is located, you can file a suit against their insurance to recover compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If they were drunk, reckless, or intentionally fled to avoid responsibility, you may be able to seek punitive damages as well. However, the other driver is not always found.
When the driver who ran cannot be located, your claim will likely shift to your own insurance coverage. Your collision coverage might be used to handle vehicle repairs, while your UM/UIM may be used for additional damages. In some cases, your health insurance can be used to cover the cost of medical treatments as well. Reporting the accident quickly and showing clear evidence that another vehicle caused the crash can help to prevent issues with your UM/UIM claim.
It is important to remember that even your own insurer may try to fight a hit-and-run claim or try to shift blame onto you. Your hit-and-run injury lawyer will help to protect you against the tactics used by insurance companies to deny or minimize claims and work to secure the total compensation your policy allows.
When you are hurt by a driver who flees the scene of a crash, you need an experienced hit-and-run injury lawyer who can move quickly. At The Haynes Firm, our attorneys can:
Many lawyers can work to negotiate with insurance companies, but not all are proven trial attorneys. Both Olen Haynes Sr. and Olen Haynes Jr. have been recognized as Top 100 Trial Attorneys in Tennessee by The National Trial Lawyers Association, and our firm has been listed as one of the Best Law Firms in the United States. We have the background, resources, and proven ability to handle even the most complex cases. We help victims of serious injury get the justice they are due.
If you have been hurt by a hit-and-run driver in Johnson City, Jonesborough, Elizabethton, Bristol, Kingsport, or anywhere nearby, The Haynes Firm is here to help. Use our online contact form or call us today to schedule your FREE consultation with one of our hit-and-run injury lawyers and let us help you secure the compensation your injuries demand.
1009 East Watauga Ave.
Johnson City, TN 37601
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207 East Main Street
Johnson City, TN 37604
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