Huntsville Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers

Strong advocacy for hit-and-run victims in North Alabama

Hit-and-run accidents are inexcusable. Many hit-and-run accidents involve drivers who shouldn’t be driving, including people who are intoxicated and leave the scene of an accident. At Martin & Helms, we have more than 25 years of experience fighting for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other car accident victims. Our Huntsville hit-and-run accident lawyers work aggressively to locate the hit-and-run driver or the owner of the hit-and-run vehicle. We also file uninsured motorist claims through your own liability insurance company when the hit-and-run driver cannot be found. Our lawyers demand full compensation for all your damages. You do have remedies. Call us today to assert your rights.

How can we help?

How do hit-and-run accidents happen in Huntsville?

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes an accident or is involved in a car accident and then leaves the scene. The driver may strike another vehicle, a pedestrian, a bicycle rider, or public or private property.

Hit-and-run accidents can occur when there is any type of vehicle accident. Some hit-and-run accidents involve a driver who is speeding or distracted – who then rear-ends a car in front of them and then drives off without stopping. Hit-and-run accidents can also occur when a driver strikes someone (a pedestrian or bicycle rider) on the side of the road or in an intersection.

How does a hit-and-run accident differ from leaving the scene of an accident?

“Hit-and-run” is a general term that refers to any type of accident by a vehicle where the driver drives away after the collision.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a legal violation under Alabama’s law - Section 32-10-1. This law provides the following:

  • A driver of a car or any vehicle who is involved in an accident resulting in:
    • Injury to or the death of any person, or
    • Damage to any vehicle driven or attended by any person
  • Shall immediately stop the vehicle at the accident scene or as close as possible – and remain there until they’ve complied with Section 32-10-2.

If there is no apparent injury or death – and the driver is not impaired – the driver “may immediately move the vehicle from the roadway to the shoulder, emergency lane, median, or other location close to the accident site if the vehicle is drivable” and should stay safely near the accident site.

Section 32-10-2 requires that the driver involved in the accident shall:

  • Provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number (and their driver’s license on request) to the accident victim or the driver/occupant of the vehicle in which the victim was a passenger or in which the vehicle was damaged.
  • Make arrangements to transport the accident victim to “a physician or hospital for medical or surgical treatment,” if necessary.

Other statutory duties that anyone who hits another vehicle must obey include:

Penalties

The penalties for failing to comply with any of the above Alabama statutes are:

  • A Class C felony if the accident causes death or personal injury
  • A Class A misdemeanor if only damage to the vehicle is involved

Other penalties may include a suspension of a driver’s license, points on their driving record, and other consequences. If a driver is intoxicated, the driver could be charged with driving under the influence.

Why do drivers flee the scene of crashes in Huntsville?

Drivers may run from or leave the scene of an accident for many reasons, including:

  • They are unaware they struck another vehicle, person, or object (possibly because they were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs).
  • They are afraid of the consequences, including being arrested or cited for violating Alabama’s statutes or traffic laws. Some drivers are afraid because they:
    • Do not have liability insurance
    • Are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
    • Have a prior criminal record
    • Are driving on a suspended license or do not have a driver’s license
    • Are driving a stolen car
    • Are not in the country legally

What insurance pays when a driver commits a hit-and-run accident in Huntsville?

At Martin & Helms, we can file your personal injury claim (or wrongful death claim if a hit-and-run accident is fatal) against the responsible parties. The liability insurance carriers for the at-fault party or parties are responsible for paying your damages. These parties may include, in addition to the driver:

  • The owner of the vehicle
  • The driver’s employer
  • A seller of alcohol if the driver was intoxicated
  • Other responsible parties

UM/UIM insurance

If the driver of the vehicle who hit your vehicle or person and then ran cannot be located, and no other responsible parties can be located, our Huntsville hit-and-run accident lawyers may then file a claim with your own uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance company. UM/UIM coverage does apply to hit-and-run accidents.

Generally, these claims are handled like any other personal injury claim, except that your UM/UIM carrier pays your damages – up to the policy limits.

What injuries do hit-and-run drivers cause in Huntsville?

Hit-and-run accidents can cause injuries in the same way that cars can cause injuries in any type of accident. One key difference is that because hit-and-run drivers leave the scene of the accident, they don’t make arrangements for emergency medical care- which means the victim’s medical care might be delayed. Delays in medical care can have serious or even fatal consequences.

Common hit-and-run injuries include:

We seek compensation for all your current and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of bodily function. We also seek punitive damages because it is unconscionable to cause an accident and then flee.

In wrongful death cases, we seek punitive damages from the hit-and-run driver.

At Martin & Helms, we coordinate your civil case with any criminal charges that police/prosecutors may file.

What steps should I take after a hit-and-run accident in Alabama?

The steps you should take after an accident depend on your health. Anyone who is not seriously hurt should make arrangements on behalf of someone who is seriously hurt for transportation to the nearest hospital.

Otherwise, the victims and the owner of the vehicle should:

  • Stay where they are and call 911.
  • Take notes about anything about the hit-and-run vehicle you can remember, including the make and model of the car, the direction of the car, the license plate number, and any other information that might help locate the car.
  • Take similar notes about the driver, including their gender, age, distinguishing features, and whether there were any passengers.
  • Get the names and contact details of any witnesses.
  • Inquire whether there were any traffic cameras - or people, residences, or businesses that may have video of the accident.
  • Take photos/video of the accident site and your injuries.
  • Contact our experienced Huntsville hit-and-run accident lawyers.

Do you have a Huntsville hit-and-run lawyer near me?

Martin & Helms meets clients at our office located in Huntsville at 2317 Market Place SW, Suite A, Huntsville, AL 35801. We travel to your healthcare facility or home if you are physically unable to come to our office. Our attorneys can also conduct online conferences and telephone consultations.

We’re here to answer your questions and fight for all the compensation you deserve. Every client works with a named partner.

Contact our accomplished Huntsville hit-and-run accident lawyers today

We understand how anxious and worried you are. You’re in pain. You need an income to pay your bills. At Martin & Helms, we’ve earned the trust and respect of our clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our dedication to our clients and our strong record of recoveries. Call our Huntsville car accident lawyers or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We also serve clients in Decatur, Athens and Madison, and throughout North Alabama.