Every year, tens and thousands of car accidents occur in parking lots and garages. This results in thousands of personal injuries and hundreds of deaths. So, if someone hits your car, it can be an aggravating experience.
In certain accidents, the victim flees the site without completing any required legal obligations. Here, it is considered a hit-and-run accident. When such an accident occurs, you may wonder who to blame.
Consult a car accident lawyer who will guide you through the claims process to maximize the number of damages you recover. If you follow the correct procedures, you can recover damages even if the driver fled after striking your car.
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Top 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer
There are a total of 1.33 million personal injury lawyers across the United States. With so many options, you may not know how to choose the best lawyer for your case.
1. Location
It might seem like any lawyer can do, but location matters in a personal injury case. Different areas have different legal frameworks. Thus, it is important to hire one who is familiar with the area’s laws.
2. Experience
If you want to be sure you are hiring the best car injury attorney for the job, you will need to find a lawyer with a great deal of experience
3. Client Testimonial
While it’s good to check the clients’ websites for professionalism, you should find out what others have to say about your potential legal partner.
4. Case Consultation
It’s critical to talk to your lawyer face to face before deciding to hire them. Most offer a free consultation so that both of you discuss whether they are a good match.
5. Fee Structure
In any case, this is an important factor in the decision. So, you’ll want to inquire about their fees upfront.
Should I Pay If a Person Hits My Parked Car?
In a state like Las Vegas, generally you don’t have to pay if someone hits your parked car. Whether you have to pay depends on the circumstance of the accident and the type of insurance coverage you have.
For example, if the driver does not have car insurance and they fled away from the scene, you will file your accident claim against your insurance. When negotiating with an insurance company, having a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas on your side is beneficial, mainly because anything they say can be used against them.
However, you may need to pay extra costs for claims exceeding the coverage limits. Furthermore, if you sustained injuries, you can hire an injury claim lawyer to file the case against the driver or insurance company.
Important Tips and Information on How to Handle Such a Case
Accidents in parking lots should be treated just like car accidents on the street. Even if the car was moving slowly and caused the accident, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Call the police– You need to call the police and report the case, regardless of whether the victim is still there or it was a hit-and-run accident.
- Seek medical treatment– If you were in your car when the accident occurred, and were injured, have the injuries treated even if they seem minor.
- Get the contact details of any witness– Witnesses are useful especially to hit and run accidents because they may have noted the car’s details that can help the police find the suspect.
- Get the contact details of the person who hit you– Ensure to get the name, phone number, and insurance information of the driver.
- Take pictures of the damage– In any case, if you are not seriously injured, take pictures from all angles to serve as evidence.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident– Your insurance company may have to cover damages to your vehicle and any medical payment for injuries, especially in a hit-and-run accident.
- Contact a car accident lawyer– get solid legal advice from your car accident lawyer if you were physically injured, even if it seems minor.
How Do You Prove a Person’s Fault for Hitting Your Parked Car?
Just like any other car crash, you must prove that the driver was careless and reckless. All drivers must obey the traffic rules for the safety of others.
When driving near a parked vehicle, drivers generally must maintain a safe distance and avoid over speeding or taking wrongful actions. If the driver violates a traffic law and causes a crash, you can seek compensation. To do so, you must demonstrate that you suffered losses due to negligence of the driver.
When Should You Call a Car Accident Lawyer?
Suppose someone hits your car, and you are injured in the process, call your car accident lawyer immediately and claim a lawsuit for an injury.
Do this immediately after seeking medical treatment for the injuries.
You might hesitate to call a lawyer in case of a car accident. However, there are several reasons why you should engage the injury claim lawyer:
You don’t have an extensive understanding of car accident law– The truth is that; not everyone understands car accident laws. In any situation, it’s important to hire a car accident lawyer. It can be of great benefit to your case to have an experienced attorney fighting in your corner.
You may have a lot of damage– Car accidents cause different damages. It can be personal injury, medical expenses, or lost wages. Without an injury claim lawyer, it becomes difficult to calculate and determine the appropriate costs.
Your insurance claim is denied or settled lower than you wanted– Hiring a car accident lawyer maximizes your chances to get full financial compensation. Hiring a lawyer means they will guide you through the process that you need.
The insurance company may be closed to negotiation– There are reasons for rejecting your claim by an insurance company. In such instances, you may need help from legal rights.
Take away
‘What should I do if someone hits my parked car?’
Though it’s not a common question, there are several pieces of information on the approaches to finding a car accident lawyer. By following the right procedures and putting all the factors into consideration, you will not go wrong.
In case of an injury, inquire about an injury claim lawyer and ensure to exhaust all the tips above for proper compensation.