Legal Options When The Driver Can't Be Found

Your likelihood of obtaining compensation increases if you enlist a Calgary motorcycle accident lawyer after experiencing a hit and run.

Even without finding the driver who hit you there remain multiple legal paths available to you.

Uninsured motorist coverage delivers financial protection in cases where the responsible driver remains unidentified.
Medical payment coverage pays for immediate medical costs without considering who caused the accident
Personal injury protection benefits victims in no-fault states by paying for their medical expenses and lost wages.
Collision coverage pays for motorcycle damage but requires the payment of a deductible.

The attorney you retain will assist in determining which insurance claims fit your case and investigate using traffic cameras and witness accounts to locate the hit and run driver.

Did you experience a motorcycle hit and run accident in your past? Or do you know someone who has?

Motorcycle accidents create fear naturally but fleeing drivers create additional problems for victims in these situations. Motorcyclists face a risk of death in crashes that is 22 times greater than that of passenger vehicle occupants which makes the stakes extremely high.

Victims of hit and run motorcycle accidents still have multiple options available for seeking justice. Legal options exist that enable motorcycle accident victims to obtain compensation and justice even if the responsible driver cannot be located.

In this article, I’ll break down exactly what you can do if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, including how seeking justice with a Calgary motorcycle accident lawyer can make all the difference in your case outcome. This section will teach you about both quick responses after the accident as well as extended legal options.

Let’s jump in!

What You Need to Know

Understanding Motorcycle Hit and Run Accidents
Immediate Actions to Take Following a Motorcycle Hit and Run Incident
Your legal choices when the hit-and-run driver remains unidentified
Insurance Coverage for Hit and Run Victims
Building a Strong Legal Case
Time Limitations and Legal Deadlines
Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Understanding Motorcycle Hit and Run Accidents

Motorcycle hit and run accidents happen so often that they should be a major public safety concern. During 2022 motorcyclists became involved in 6,218 deadly crashes throughout the United States according to recent statistics.

The act of a hit and run takes place when a driver collides with a motorcyclist and then departs from the crash scene without checking for injuries or exchanging information or reporting the accident.

Why do drivers flee? Drivers often flee scenes due to lack of insurance coverage, intoxication while driving, unaddressed legal warrants, or acute panic moments.

The act of leaving an accident scene after hitting a motorcyclist is against the law and unethical regardless of the reason. The reporting of 82,687 motorcycle injuries in 2022 and the 25.22% rise in motorcycle fatalities from 2013 to 2022 highlights the urgent requirement for legal protection. Here are few recent statistics for reference.

Following a hit and run accident it is essential to take these immediate actions to increase your chances of obtaining damages later.

Your immediate responses following a hit-and-run accident directly affect your future damage recovery prospects.

Prioritize safety and medical attention
Move to a safe location if possible
Call 911 immediately for medical assistance
Seek medical attention after any motorcycle accident regardless of how minor injuries may appear.
Document everything at the scene
Capture your motorcycle in photographs from different viewpoints.
Capture images of the accident site showing skid marks debris and the road conditions.
Collect contact information from any witnesses
Report to the police
Go to the police station and record your statement immediately after the accident.
Make sure to remember every detail available about the other vehicle involved.
Request a copy of the police report to keep for your personal records.
Notify your insurance company
Submit an accident report within 24 hours whenever possible.
Stick to the facts and don’t speculate
Don’t provide recorded statements without legal counsel

If the driver responsible for your motorcycle accident cannot be located you still have multiple legal avenues to explore.

A Calgary motorcycle accident lawyer can greatly enhance your ability to obtain proper compensation after experiencing a hit and run incident.

Despite not finding the driver who hit you there are many legal options available to you.

Your insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage which provides compensation when the identity of the at-fault driver remains unknown.

Medical payment coverage helps pay for your urgent medical costs irrespective of fault determination.

In states with no-fault insurance PIP coverage helps pay for medical expenses and lost income.

Collision coverage assists with motorcycle repair costs but requires payment of a deductible.

Your attorney will determine which claims apply to your situation and conduct investigations to identify the hit and run driver through analysis of traffic camera footage, witness statements, social media posts, vehicle debris analysis, and body shop checks.

Insurance Coverage for Hit and Run Victims

Hit and run victims need car insurance because their coverage becomes crucial in such situations.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

This essential coverage considers hit and run incidents as those caused by uninsured drivers which helps to finance legal medical expenses.

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Disability or disfigurement

Collision Coverage

This coverage pays for motorcycle repairs:

You submit a claim to your insurance provider.
You’ll typically pay your deductible
Rates may increase upon renewal
If the driver of the other vehicle is identified then the deductible requirement is removed.

Medical Payments Coverage

Also known as MedPay, this valuable coverage:

Pays out quickly, often before health insurance
Covers deductibles and co-pays from health insurance
Usually has no deductible
This medical payments coverage extends protection to you whenever you ride as a passenger on any motorcycle.

Building a Strong Legal Case

You need a robust legal case to ensure you receive maximum compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Focus on collecting critical evidence:

Police report detailing the hit and run
Medical records linking injuries to the accident
Witness statements
Photographic documentation of both the accident location and the damaged motorcycle
Video footage from nearby cameras

Working With Experts

Your lawyer may bring in specialized experts:

Accident reconstruction specialists
Medical experts
Economic loss experts
Mental health professionals

Dealing With Insurance Companies

When dealing with insurance companies:

Never accept the first settlement offer
Don’t sign anything without legal review
Let your attorney handle negotiations

Time Limitations and Legal Deadlines

Successful motorcycle hit and run claims depend on timely action.

Statute of Limitations

The statutory filing period for personal injury claims extends from one year up to three years. Failing to meet the deadline will permanently eliminate your chance to get compensated.

Insurance Notification Requirements

The majority of insurance policies mandate that accident reports be submitted within a period ranging from 24 to 72 hours. Delays in reporting an accident may result in your insurance coverage being invalidated.

Police Report Timing

In many areas law enforcement must receive accident reports within 24 to 48 hours for insurance validation.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Victims of hit and run incidents can receive multiple compensation types.

Economic Damages

Medical expenses (current and future)
Lost wages and earning capacity
Property damage
Rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Disfigurement or scarring

Key Points to Remember

We should share crucial information that every victim of a motorcycle hit and run needs to know before we end this discussion.

Your insurance plan might provide broader coverage than you originally believed. A lot of motorcycle riders are unaware about their insurance policy options for hit and run incidents.

**Evidence deteriorates quickly. Skid marks disappear over time as injuries recover and witnesses lose their ability to recall specific details. Act promptly.

Choose an attorney who understands motorcycle accident cases. Seek out an attorney who has demonstrated success in handling motorcycle accident cases.

**Your helmet can be a decisive factor. Helmets safeguard your body and strengthen your legal claim.

Authorities manage to find most hit and run drivers at some point. Through investigative efforts many hit and run drivers are discovered days or weeks after their accidents.

Summing Up Your Legal Path

Victims of hit and run motorcycle accidents often face feelings of frustration and helplessness. You significantly boost your odds of getting fair compensation when you learn about your legal choices and follow the proper procedures in a timely manner.

You don’t need to manage this difficult process by yourself. Proper legal assistance and knowledge of your options allows you to prioritize your recovery as your lawyer manages the complicated legal proceedings.

You have routes to hold the unidentified driver accountable through legal means and obtain compensation for your recovery after a motorcycle hit and run.