Chattanooga Hit and Run Accidents
Car Wreck Lawyers Serving Victims in Chattanooga and Hamilton County
In most car accident cases, the biggest mystery involved is determining the cause behind the crash. Perhaps the driver that caused the wreck was intoxicated, or the driver may have been distracted by their cell phone. However, in some cases, the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident, and the biggest mystery for injured victims becomes how to seek compensation for their injuries and other losses. If you have been injured in a hit and run accident, contact the Chattanooga car accident lawyers at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz to discuss your options. As the largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee, our lawyers have a great deal of experience handling all types of motor vehicle crash cases, including hit and run accidents. We have the knowledge and resources you will need to investigate your accident and pursue the compensation that you deserve.
Tennessee Law Forbids Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Tennessee law requires drivers involved in an auto accident to stay at the scene or as close to the scene as reasonably possible. This law allows drivers to exchange contact and insurance information, and it also allows the police to conduct a proper investigation into the facts of the collision. In the case of a hit and run accident, then, the at-fault driver has already broken the law by leaving the scene of the wreck. In most cases, a driver who is willing to leave the scene has already engaged in other negligent or illegal conduct, such as drunk driving.
Taking Steps to Protect Your Claims Under Tennessee Law
If you are involved in a hit and run accident in Chattanooga, you should contact the police as soon as possible. Headquartered at 3410 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37406, the Chattanooga Police Department can be reached at 423-698-2525. The sooner the police become involved, the better chance they will have to identify the driver who left the scene. For example, there may be a witness that saw the tag number of the defendant’s vehicle. There may also be stores in the immediate area with cameras pointed at the area where the accident occurred. The police may be able to review that video footage for information about the defendant’s vehicle. With enough information early on, the police may be able to catch the defendant that same day.
A car accident lawyer in the Chattanooga area can also take steps to identify the hit and run driver by building upon the information that the police collect. It is important to investigate further into your accident and make sure that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of your claim. Examples include confirming ownership of the vehicle by researching the tag and VIN numbers, if applicable. If information about the driver can be found, it is likely that an accident attorney will be able to investigate further into the facts of the accident, build a successful case against the driver who fled, and help you recover fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Even if the defendant is never identified, you may be able to make a claim under the uninsured motorist portion of your auto insurance policy. Before you speak with any insurance company, you have the right to retain legal counsel who will look after your best interests and explain your rights under the law.
Seek Guidance from a Car Crash Attorney Today
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, you may feel lost regarding how to move forward and where to turn for help. At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, our Chattanooga attorneys have been assisting accident victims in your position for over 30 years, and we want to use our knowledge and experience to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our firm assists accident victims in cities across the South, including Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Jackson, Meridian, Grenada, Oxford, Starkville, Tupelo, Columbus, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Hayti, Caruthersville, and other cities throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri. Call us today at 800-529-4004 or fill out our online form to discuss your case with a car wreck lawyer.