Michigan Hit-and-Run Car Accident Lawyers

Any car accident can cause pain and suffering from injuries you sustain. However, a hit-and-run accident can result in increased mental and physical stress since you don’t know who hit you or where they fled. This makes it harder to obtain compensation and hold the irresponsible driver accountable for their actions.

If you suffered injuries in a hit-and-run car accident, you need an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer on your side to help you file a claim to receive compensation. Our Michigan car accident lawyer at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. have the knowledge and resources to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

We understand how traumatic it can be to suffer a hit-and-run collision and can help you with your accident claim. A hit-and-run lawyer from our team can meet with you to discuss possible settlement options to help you pay for medical bills and lost wages after being injured in a hit-and-run.

Does a Hit-and-Run Count as an Accident In Michigan?

A hit-and-run crash involves a driver colliding with another vehicle and then leaving the scene without providing contact information or offering help to those affected. A hit-and-run auto accident can also include phantom collisions, which happen when the driver does not make physical contact but still causes a crash through their actions.

For example, if a driver suddenly swerves or brakes, causing another vehicle to react abruptly and crash, it’s considered a phantom hit-and-run. The responsible driver then leaves the scene without taking accountability for the incident.

Hit-and-run collisions can happen for many reasons — drivers may flee due to panic, lack of insurance, intoxication, or to avoid legal consequences. Unfortunately, victims are often left with physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens due to damage and medical expenses.

If the driver can’t be identified, it can complicate legal claims for victims, leaving them with limited avenues for compensation.

Is a Hit-and-Run Accident Illegal in Michigan?

Hit-and-runs are illegal in Michigan under a few different statutes. The following laws outline the responsibilities of drivers involved in a car crash:

• Duty in case of personal injury or death. MCL 257.617 requires drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to stop immediately at the scene, provide their name and address, and show their driver’s license and vehicle registration number to the injured party or a police officer.
• Duty in case of property damage. MCL 257.618 addresses accidents that result in damage to a vehicle or property. It mandates that the driver must stop and locate the owner or leave a note with their contact information and a description of the damage.
• Reporting requirements. MCL 257.622 requires that any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 must be reported to the local police department, sheriff, or state police.

Leaving the scene of an accident can result in criminal charges and penalties:

• The penalty for hit-and-run with no injuries in Michigan is a potential misdemeanor charge, with up to 90 days in jail and a $100 fine.
• A hit-and-run causing serious bodily injury can result in a felony charge punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• A hit-and-run collision involving a fatality can result in a felony charge with up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Do Police Investigate These Types of Automobile Crashes?

If a driver involved in a crash doesn’t remain at the scene, they are not only violating traffic laws, they are committing a crime. When a hit-and-run is reported, the police take several steps to investigate and identify the perpetrator, including:

• Collecting evidence such as vehicle parts, paint chips or scrapes, and tire tracks at the crash site.
• Interviewing witnesses about the accident, the appearance and condition of the fleeing vehicle, and any distinguishing features of the driver.
• Checking nearby surveillance or traffic camera footage to capture the vehicle’s make, model, color, and the direction it fled.
• Sharing a detailed description of the suspect’s vehicle with nearby patrols and other law enforcement agencies.
• Reaching out through media and social networks to gather tips from the public that could help identify the driver.
• Use forensic techniques to examine any physical evidence found at the scene to trace back to the vehicle or driver.

The police will include information from the investigation into the official report of the hit-and-run accident. Your Michigan hit-and-run car accident lawyer from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can obtain this report, use it to support your insurance claim, and potentially investigate further to determine who hit you and hold them accountable.

Who is at Fault in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Michigan?

In a hit-and-run accident, fault may not be straightforward. While the person who hit you and fled the scene is the primary person responsible, you may be able to hold other parties liable when seeking medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering compensation.

• Vehicle owner. If the vehicle involved was not driven by its owner, the owner might still be held responsible for the accident. For instance, if the driver was a teenager, their parents could be held liable.
• Employer. If the driver was working at the time of the accident, the employer could potentially be liable for the driver’s actions under vicarious liability laws.
• Bar or restaurant. Under dram shop laws, if the driver was intoxicated, the establishment that served the alcohol could be liable if they served a visibly intoxicated patron.
• Vehicle manufacturer. The manufacturer might be liable for damages if a vehicle defect contributed to the accident.
• Government entities. A city or state might be held responsible if poor road conditions or inadequate signage contributed to the accident.

How to Report a Hit And Run Accident in Michigan?

If you’re involved in a hit-and-run or phantom crash, reporting the accident can help protect your rights. It may also aid law enforcement in locating the driver and preserving evidence you can use for an insurance claim. Here’s what to do:

• Document the license plate and vehicle details. Try to take a photo or write down the other driver’s license plate number. Note the vehicle’s make, model, color, and details about the driver. If you can’t get all this information, do what you can under the circumstances.
• Call the police immediately. Inform the police about the accident. Provide all the details you recorded about the driver and their vehicle. The police will document the incident and start an investigation to locate the hit-and-run driver.
• Gather witness information. Speak with anyone who witnessed the crash. Collect their names and contact information and ask if they are willing to provide a statement to your personal injury attorney at a later time.
• Take photos and look for video evidence. Photograph your vehicle, the accident scene, and the injuries you sustained. Document everything as thoroughly as possible. Check if nearby businesses have surveillance cameras that might have captured the crash. Request copies of relevant footage to help with the investigation and insurance claims.
• Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible. Follow the specific reporting requirements stated in your policy to ensure eligibility for potential benefits.
• Consult with a lawyer. Speak with a qualified car accident attorney from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. We can guide you through the legal aspects of your claim and explore every compensation option to get you financial support for your injuries and damages.

Can You Sue for a Hit-and-Run Accident in Michigan?

Whether you can sue for damages depends on the circumstances of your hit-and-run claim. As an injured victim, you’re entitled to damages after a crash; however, what happens if the police never find the at-fault driver?

Our Michigan hit-and-run car accident lawyers will look at all options to help you obtain compensation, which can include a personal injury protection (PIP) insurance claim, an uninsured motorist claim, or a third-party lawsuit.

In Michigan, you have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. You won’t recover damages if you do not file a lawsuit within this period.
Contacting a knowledgeable Michigan car accident lawyer for a free consultation as soon as possible after your accident helps you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.

Reach out to an Experienced Michigan Hit-and-Run Car Accident Lawyer

Our lawyers at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. have decades of experience handling hit-and-run car accidents and can help you navigate the legal process. We can assist you in negotiating with the insurance company or filing a lawsuit for the compensation you deserve.

Our team includes partner attorney Eileen Kroll, who can use her medical experience as a registered nurse to analyze your injuries and ensure a fair settlement from your insurer or a third party.

Speak with us today to discuss your case with a compassionate, skilled Michigan hit-and-run car accident lawyer and take your next step toward recovery.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.