Urbana Hit and Run Accidents Lawyer
Hit-and-run accidents in Urbana and throughout Illinois result in serious injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of motor vehicles. Under Illinois law, drivers who are involved in an accident have a duty to stop, even if a collision only involves property damage with an unattended vehicle. When accidents involve injuries to other people, leaving the scene of an accident is a felony offense. While it may be difficult to locate the hit-and-run driver who caused your injuries in Urbana, you should know that Illinois takes these cases seriously, and law enforcement officials will also be seeking the driver who harmed you. Contact our experienced Urbana hit-and-run accidents lawyer to find out more about how you can file a claim to seek financial compensation following a hit-and-run collision.
Learning More About Urbana Hit and Run Accidents
How often do hit-and-run accidents happen? Consider some of the following information from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:
- Between 11 and 12 percent of all reported traffic crashes are hit-and-run accidents;
- Crashes and collisions in Champaign County represent only about one to two percent of all accidents in Illinois (3,361 crashes total in 2019), but the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates suggest that more than 400 crashes in the Urbana area could be hit-and-run collisions in a given year;
- Pedestrians account for the highest number of people injured or killed in hit-and-run collisions;
- About one out of every five pedestrian fatalities involve a driver who flees the scene of the accident;
- Hit-and-run accidents occur more often in nighttime conditions when visibility is an issue;
- Rural and suburban areas with fewer pedestrians are more likely to see a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian;
- Urban areas have higher overall rates of hit-and-runs than rural or suburban areas; and
- Alcohol impairment is a common factor in many hit-and-run accidents.
How to Seek Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident in Urbana
After a hit-and-run accident, it will be important to gather as much information as you can at the scene and to identify any witnesses who may be able to help you identify and locate the hit-and-run driver. If you can identify the driver (or if the police can), you could be able to file a civil lawsuit against that party to seek financial compensation.
Even if the hit-and-run driver is never located, you might still be able to file a claim through your auto insurance. In particular, if you pay for uninsured motorist coverage, you can rely on this coverage to help with the losses associated with your hit-and-run accident injuries.
Contact Patel Law, PC
If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a hit-and-run accident in Illinois, you should learn more about filing a civil claim to seek compensation. Your auto insurance coverage may be able to help, and you may be able to sue the driver who fled the scene of the collision. Contact an experienced Urbana hit-and-run accidents lawyer to learn more about how hit-and-run accident claims work in Illinois.
