free case consultation
free case consultation
A hit-and-run accident can be a traumatic experience, leaving you with physical injuries and emotional and financial stress. In Lexington, KY, like many other places, hit-and-run accidents can happen when you least expect them. However, you do not have to handle the aftermath of the hit-and-run by yourself.
At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges you may face after a hit-and-run accident. Knowing what steps to take immediately after is crucial for your safety and any potential legal actions. Contact a Lexington car accident lawyer from Hughes & Coleman. We will guide you through the essential steps to take after a hit-and-run accident in Lexington. We know your rights. Our team is here for you 24/7, and the consultation is free.
CALL NOW
We can help. Get It Done.
A hit-and-run crash occurs when a motor vehicle collides with another vehicle, person, or object, and the at-fault driver leaves the scene without reporting the accident or providing their insurance information and contact details.
You are not alone in facing the challenge of a hit-and-run accident. Hit-and-run accidents in Lexington and across the state are more common than most people realize. According to Kentucky State Police, there were 11,312 reported hit-and-run accidents in 2021, and 10% of these crashes resulted in injuries. Most hit-and-run collisions (41%) happened on city streets, 25% on state roads, and 16% on U.S. roads.
Following a hit-and-run incident, you’ll encounter one of two situations:
Regardless of the category you belong to, certain crucial steps must be taken in the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident.
Hit-and-run incidents unfold rapidly, often leaving victims with minimal time to process and retain vital information for identifying the responsible driver.
When faced with a hit-and-run incident, it is imperative to follow these steps:
Keep in mind that it’s essential to stay composed and make your safety the top priority. Following these steps increases the likelihood of identifying the accountable party and ensuring the situation is managed appropriately.
Even if you contact the police immediately after the accident, they might lack the necessary resources to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into your hit-and-run incident to pinpoint the responsible party. However, a personal injury law firm like Hughes & Coleman possesses the experience and resources to step in.
Our team can conduct a comprehensive investigation in the vicinity of the collision to ascertain whether we can indeed identify the hit-and-run driver. This investigation involves various approaches, including obtaining video surveillance footage from local businesses, utilizing ring cameras, and other similar equipment to help locate the other vehicle. Alongside these measures, we undertake a range of standard investigative procedures.
The prospects of successfully locating a hit-and-run driver are most favorable when you have a dedicated legal team focused on meticulously examining all available evidence.
In Lexington, Kentucky, drivers have access to three primary insurance policies:
Understanding the differences between UM coverage and UIM coverage is very important. It’s also important to understand how each may or may not help you following a hit-and-run crash.
Kentucky follows a “no-fault” auto insurance system, requiring drivers to carry PIP insurance. The minimum coverage limit is $10,000. To step outside this no-fault system and file a claim against another driver, you must meet Kentucky’s injury threshold.
What does this mean? To get outside the state’s no-fault system, you must demonstrate one of the following:
Additionally, if a loved one passes away due to accident-related injuries, you can also seek money for those injuries outside the no-fault system.
Although the threshold may appear simple, it’s not always easy to establish eligibility. One of our experienced car accident lawyers can examine your medical bills and records to help back up your claim and support you along the way.
Does PIP insurance cover a hit-and-run accident?
It does. If you are in Kentucky and have PIP insurance, it offers coverage for a hit-and-run accident. The PIP insurance will cover your injuries up to the policy limits, regardless of whether the driver responsible is found or not. PIP will not cover property damage though.
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is a vital component of your auto insurance policy designed to provide protection in scenarios where you encounter an accident caused by a driver lacking insurance coverage. It’s essential to distinguish UM from underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). UM coverage comes into play when you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or become a victim of a hit-and-run incident. This protection extends to various situations, whether you’re driving, riding a motorcycle, walking as a pedestrian, or cycling.
In Kentucky, legal requirements dictate minimum liability limits for insurance coverage. These limits encompass:
· $25,000 for bodily injuries sustained by one individual.
· $50,000 for all bodily injuries sustained collectively by everyone injured in the accident.
· $10,000 for property damage.
Comprehending the distinctions between UM and UIM coverage and being aware of these minimum liability limits is crucial for ensuring adequate protection in unforeseen accidents.
The Kentucky Uninsured Motorist Statute (KRS 304.20-020) does not explicitly address “hit and run” situations. Coverage for injuries caused by unidentified motorists is an optional feature of the policy, not a mandatory requirement. Furthermore, the statute does not classify a motor vehicle as uninsured solely because the driver fled the scene and cannot be identified.
To determine if you have additional coverage for hit-and-run accidents within your uninsured motorist insurance policy, you must carefully review the declarations page of your policy. Experienced car accident lawyers can also help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the liability coverage.
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is a component of your auto insurance policy that acts as a shield when the driver at fault in an accident lacks sufficient insurance to cover your losses. It’s important to keep in mind that following a significant accident, you should take into account not just the harm to your vehicle and any immediate injuries but also the time needed for complete recovery (if possible) and the impact of the accident on your life.
Frequently, a few thousand dollars is significantly short of what is necessary, and the need will be there to get a car accident attorney involved to secure fair compensation.
Most of the time, this coverage can be instrumental in covering bodily injury expenses and damages for you and your passengers if the other driver is found. It may also provide coverage to you in the event that injuries are sustained in a pedestrian-involved hit-and-run accident.
In cases where the vehicle that caused the accident cannot be identified, our team of car accident attorneys will thoroughly assess all your insurance policies to maximize compensation through your uninsured motorist coverage.
Reviewing these policies is crucial since specific prerequisites must be met to secure uninsured coverage in hit-and-run cases, including physical contact between the fleeing vehicle and your vehicle.
In Lexington, eligibility for uninsured motorist benefits in a hit-and-run accident requires evidence of physical contact, which we document through photos and videos to support your claim so we can help you get compensated.
Being involved in a car accident is scary, but you must stay at the scene. In Kentucky, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense.
A hit-and-run in the state can result in either misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on factors like property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
In Kentucky, the consequences for a hit-and-run vary based on the severity of injuries or property damage caused during the incident.
Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage alone is considered a Class A misdemeanor in Lexington, with penalties ranging from $20 to $2,000 in fines and/or a potential jail term of up to one year.
However, if a hit-and-run involves injury or death, and the driver should have been aware of the harm caused, it becomes a Class D felony, carrying penalties of $1,000 to $10,000 in fines and/or a prison sentence ranging from one to five years.
Kentucky’s no-fault insurance system means you don’t need to prove fault to file an insurance claim for damages in a hit-and-run case. However, it’s advisable to engage an experienced car accident attorney when negotiating a settlement offer to ensure you receive the rightful compensation.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a hit-and-run incident, our legal team in Lexington is here to provide a free, risk-free consultation. We can guide you through this challenging time and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve from your insurance company.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a hit-and-run incident, our legal team in Lexington is here to provide you with a free consultation. We can guide you through this challenging time and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve from your insurance company.
Call us now at 800-800-4600.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 800-800-4600.
(615)-255-9100 
Chat Now 
Call Us