Hit and Run Accidents

Hyannis Car Accident Attorneys

The Cape Cod hit and run accident lawyers at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog have decades of experience representing clients throughout the area in cases related to hit and run and other car accidents. We’ve developed a strong reputation among clients and in the legal community for providing comprehensive legal representation on behalf of the people we serve, and we are committed to helping people injured in a wide variety of accidents recover damages for their losses from those who are responsible.

Hit and Run Accidents Are Surprisingly Common

It may be hard to believe that a motorist involved in an accident would simply drive away after a crash. However, hit and run accidents are unfortunately common in Massachusetts and across the country. According to AAA, more than 10 percent of all car crashes nationwide are hit and run accidents, and these incidents account for nearly one in five pedestrian fatalities. Hit and runs often occur when the driver involved has been drinking or is otherwise intoxicated and flees the scene in order to try to escape criminal punishment.

Suing for Damages After a Hit and Run Accident

State law requires a driver involved in a car accident to stop and exchange information with other drivers in the crash, as well as anyone else who has been injured. A driver who doesn’t do so is subject to criminal penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment. Whether the driver stays or leaves the scene of a crash, he or she may also be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by unsafe, irresponsible, or otherwise negligent operation of an automobile.

Hit and run accidents can involve a wide range of collisions, including:

• Rear end accidents
• Side impact collisions
• Head on crashes

The good news is that a person injured in these and other types of car accidents has the right to seek legal remedies from the responsible parties. Damages potentially available in hit and run accident cases include money for current and future medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Insurance Claims Following a Hit and Run Accident

Keep in mind that if you are struck by a hit and run driver who cannot be identified, under Massachusetts law you can make a claim against your own auto insurance policy. Alternatively, if you do not own a car but you live with a blood relative or spouse that has insurance, you can make a claim against that policy. Further, if you are a passenger in a car at the time of a hit and run accident, you can make a claim against the policy of the vehicle you were in at the time of the accident.

The claims described above are called “uninsurance claims.” It is important to note that if you make an uninsurance claim against your own policy, a relative’s policy, or the policy of the car you were in at the time of the accident, there are no negative consequences whatsoever against the policy holder. There will be no surcharge, rate increase, or negative impact on the policy. All Massachusetts policies have this provision, with purpose being that someone can still recover compensation and be made “whole” if they are injured by either a driver with no insurance or a hit and run driver, which is considered to be a driver without insurance.

Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You

Being involved in a car accident of any kind can be a scary, difficult, and even life changing experience. The effects of a crash are often compounded when the driver responsible for the accident doesn’t have the decency to stick around and make sure everyone is ok, let alone trade insurance information and wait for police or an ambulance to arrive.

At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, we understand what a person goes through when he or she is involved in an accident. We treat every client with the dignity and respect they deserve, and we focus our efforts on obtaining the best possible legal remedy for the people we represent. We also know that clients involved in lawsuits don’t want to be kept in the dark. We will explain your legal rights and obligations to you from day one and keep you apprised of developments in a timely fashion, while remaining available to discuss your case at your convenience.

Our firm also has the legal experience, skills, and ability to help you seek the maximum compensation to which you are entitled. We have the investigative and research resources to track down hit and run drivers, and will fight to ensure that they are held responsible for their actions to the fullest extent of the law. We are seasoned litigators who understand how to present a case to a judge or jury in the most clear and convincing manner. We’ve previously obtained settlements ranging from several thousand to over $2 million for clients injured in auto accidents.

Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys and criminal defense lawyers serve clients throughout the state. We offer flexible evening and weekend hours at our locations in Hyannis and Plymouth, and we will even come to you if you can’t make it to one of our offices. Call us at (888) 262-6664 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Nós Falamos Português.