Wichita Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney

woman sitting on sidewalk at night after an auto accident where the driver left the scene

Few experiences are as crushing or infuriating as watching someone speed off after a collision without stopping to see if you’re okay or exchange insurance information. If a hit-and-run driver injured you, you might be dealing with a painful recovery, costly medical expenses, lost wages, and other crash-related expenses.

Hit-and-runs can happen to anyone. Pedestrians, cyclists, children and other motorists. If you or a loved one has suffered, you deserve justice.

The Wichita hit-and-run injury lawyers at Mann Wyatt & Tanksley Injury Attorneys understand what you’re going through. With our help, you may be able to locate the at-fault driver and hold them accountable for the harm you’ve suffered or seek compensation from your insurance if available. We’ll do all we can to help you get the money you need to rebuild your life and move on from the crash. For a free consultation, call us or reach out to us online today.

What to Do If You Were Hit by a Driver Who Fled

You likely feel shocked and frustrated after watching another driver flee the scene of an accident. Fortunately, there are simple steps you could take to protect your rights, such as:

  • Stay on the scene — Do not follow the other driver or leave the scene. The law requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident. It won’t help your case if you break the law trying to find the hit-and-run driver.
  • Call 911 — Contact the police to report the accident and request help if needed.
  • Get medical help — Seek prompt medical attention to make sure your injuries are diagnosed, treated, and added to your medical records. Follow your doctor’s care plan and attend all follow-up appointments.
  • Collect evidence — Gather as much evidence as possible, including writing down everything you remember about the collision, the other driver, and their vehicle. Take photos of the crash scene, visible injuries, and damage to your vehicle.
  • Document your losses — Keep track of accident-related expenses, including medical bills, alternative travel costs, and lost wages from missed time at work.
  • Be careful about social media — Watch what you say to others or post online while the accident claim is pending.
  • Call an attorney — Contact a knowledgeable hit-and-run accident lawyer to help you seek compensation.

Getting Compensation for a Hit-and-Run Car Accident

After a hit-and-run accident, you might be worried about how you will pay for your medical bills and other expenses. If the hit-and-run driver is identified and has insurance coverage, they could be responsible for compensating you for your losses and face criminal charges for leaving the scene.

If you cannot find the other driver, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage might cover some crash-related losses after a hit-and-run. Since hit-and-run drivers do not leave their insurance information behind, they are considered uninsured when you file an insurance claim. All Kansas motorists must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in UM coverage. This pays for medical, rehabilitation, and funeral costs after an accident with an uninsured motorist.

Depending on the circumstances, you could also be entitled to compensation from:

  • The hit-and-run driver, if you can find them
  • Another party whose negligence contributed to the wreck
  • Your health insurance policy, after you exhaust other types of coverage
  • Your employer, if you were driving a company vehicle or traveling for work-related purposes when the hit-and-run accident occurred

Should You Contact a Wichita Car Accident Lawyer?

You should always contact an experienced car accident attorney after a hit-and-run accident. Without information or insurance from the other driver, your legal options are probably limited. That means every aspect of your claim counts. An experienced Wichita injury lawyer can help you maximize your recovery by identifying all possible sources of compensation, negotiating aggressively, and avoiding common mistakes that could cost you money.

Shocking Hit-and-Run Facts and Statistics

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are common throughout the U.S. and here in Kansas. The following data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety illustrate just how frequent and devastating these wrecks can be:

  • Over the past ten years, an average of 682,000 hit-and-runs per year were reported to the police — and the actual numbers may be much higher.
  • In one recent year, there were an estimated 737,100 hit-and-run accidents throughout the United States, equating to one hit-and-run every 43 seconds.
  • The following year, there were a total of 1,980 hit-and-run crashes that resulted in the deaths of 2,049 people, the highest-ever number of annual hit-and-run deaths.
  • Of these 1,980 fatal hit-and-runs, 1,398 (7.4 percent) involved non-vehicle occupants, such as cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Since 2009, the number of hit-and-run fatalities has been increasing by an average of 7.2 percent each year, primarily due to pedestrian hit-and-runs.
  • The nationwide percentage of fatal car accidents involving a hit-and-run driver has also increased, reaching a high of 5.5 percent in one recent year.
  • The percentage of fatal car accidents involving hit-and-run drivers increases to a staggering 20.5 percent when examining only pedestrian hit-and-run fatalities.
  • The majority of people who are killed in hit-and-run accidents are pedestrians, with approximately one in five pedestrian fatalities involving a hit-and-run driver.
  • To put this data in perspective, consider that just one percent of vehicle occupant fatalities are due to accidents involving hit-and-run drivers.
  • In fatal pedestrian accidents, researchers have found drivers are more than four times more likely to flee the scene between midnight and 4:00 a.m.
  • Pedestrian fatalities from hit-and-run accidents are also less than half as likely to occur during daylight hours.
  • Drivers who cause hit-and-run fatalities are more likely to be young, intoxicated males who drive older cars and have histories of DWI and license suspension.
  • In the state of Kansas alone, there were a total of 85 hit-and-run accidents that resulted in one or more fatalities in a recent 10-year period.

Speak to a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Wichita Now

Have questions about your legal rights after a hit-and-run in Wichita? The team at Mann Wyatt & Tanksley Injury Attorneys can help. Contact our firm today to get started with your free initial consultation and find the answers you deserve.