Hit and Run Lawyer in Lakewood, WA
When another driver hits your vehicle and flees the scene, you face a unique challenge. Not only do you deal with injuries and vehicle damage, but you also lack the at-fault driver’s insurance information. This leaves you uncertain about how to recover compensation. Our Lakewood Hit and Run lawyers help victims in Lakewood and throughout Washington identify fleeing drivers and pursue the compensation you deserve. With over 70 years of experience representing injured victims, our team knows how to investigate these cases thoroughly and hold negligent drivers accountable.
What Counts as a Hit and Run in Washington?
Washington law requires drivers involved in accidents to remain at the scene and exchange information with other parties. Under RCW 46.52.020, drivers must provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information. They must also offer reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the accident.
A hit and run occurs when a driver leaves the scene without fulfilling these legal obligations. This applies whether the accident caused minor damage or serious injuries. The fleeing driver commits both a criminal offense and a civil violation that allows victims to pursue compensation. Understanding Washington’s hit-and-run laws is essential for protecting your rights.
Washington law distinguishes between hit-and-run accidents involving property damage only and those involving injuries. Hit-and-run accidents involving injuries carry more severe criminal penalties, including potential jail time and substantial fines. Regardless of the severity, victims have the right to pursue civil claims for their losses.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs
The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs has represented injured victims and their families since 1952. Our founding attorney, Robert R. Briggs, established this firm with a clear mission. He believed negligent individuals should be held accountable for the harm they cause. Today, Shawn Briggs continues that legacy with nearly 40 years of personal injury experience.
Shawn Briggs earned recognition as a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics. Additionally, he was named a Top Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association. He has taught trial skills seminars to lawyers across the country. He also served in leadership roles with the American Association for Justice. His expertise extends to complex cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and government negligence.
Our team has recovered millions for accident victims. Recent results include a $5.1 million settlement in a negligent police pursuit case. We also secured a $1.1 million wrongful death settlement in a truck accident. These results reflect our commitment to aggressive representation and thorough investigation.
When you hire The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs, you get attorneys who investigate hit and run cases with intensity. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident
Your actions immediately after a hit-and-run accident significantly impact your case. Follow these steps to protect your rights and strengthen your claim.
Call 911 and Report the Accident. Contact the police immediately and provide all details you remember about the fleeing vehicle and driver. Request a police report number and obtain the officer’s name and badge number. The police report becomes crucial evidence in your case. Documenting the accident scene properly can significantly strengthen your claim.
Document the Scene and Gather Information. Take photos and videos of your vehicle damage, the accident location, traffic signals, and road conditions. If witnesses are present, get their names and phone numbers. Note the time of day, weather conditions, and any surveillance cameras in the area. This documentation is critical for identifying the at-fault driver.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately. Even if you feel fine, see a doctor right away. Some injuries from accidents don’t appear for days or weeks. Medical documentation creates a record linking your injuries to the accident, which is essential for your claim. Learn more about how long after a car accident injuries can appear.
Contact Your Insurance Company. Report the accident to your insurer promptly. Provide factual information about what happened, but do not admit fault or speculate about the accident. Do not give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney first. Understanding your insurance coverage is crucial in hit-and-run cases.
Critical reminder: Never discuss the accident with the other driver’s insurance company or sign any documents without legal counsel.
How We Help Identify the At-Fault Driver
Identifying the fleeing driver is often the key to recovering full compensation. The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs uses multiple investigation strategies to locate hit-and-run drivers.
Our team interviews witnesses who may have seen the vehicle or driver. We obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and residential properties. Additionally, we work with law enforcement to access additional investigative resources and information. Our thorough investigation process sets us apart from other firms.
The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs also retrieves event data recorder information from your vehicle. Modern cars contain “black boxes” that record crash data, including vehicle speed, braking, and impact force. This data helps establish the severity of the collision and can support your injury claims even if the at-fault driver is never identified. Black box data is often the key to proving liability.
Our investigation team reviews police reports, accident reconstruction analysis, and any available vehicle descriptions. We pursue every lead to identify the fleeing driver so we can hold them accountable and recover compensation from their insurance.
Insurance Options When the Driver Isn’t Found
If the hit-and-run driver is never identified, you still have options for recovering compensation through your own insurance coverage.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified. This coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages up to your policy limits. In hit-and-run cases, uninsured motorist coverage often becomes your primary source of recovery.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage applies if the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are insufficient to cover your damages. This coverage bridges the gap between what their insurance pays and your actual losses. Understanding the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is essential.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. Washington’s no-fault system requires insurers to pay reasonable medical expenses and wage loss benefits through PIP coverage. Washington’s PIP requirements ensure you receive necessary medical coverage.
The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs handles negotiations with your insurance company to ensure you receive maximum compensation under your policy. Insurance companies sometimes resist paying full benefits, but our experience and aggressive advocacy help overcome these obstacles. Learn more about negotiating with insurance adjusters.
Hit and Run Laws and Penalties in Washington
Washington takes hit-and-run accidents seriously. RCW 46.52.020 establishes the legal duty to remain at the scene of an accident. Violating this statute can result in both criminal and civil liability.
Drivers who flee the scene face criminal penalties, including jail time, fines, and license suspension. A hit-and-run incident involving only property damage is a gross misdemeanor, carrying a potential sentence of up to 364 days in jail and fines of up to $5,000. Actual sentences vary based on the specific facts and prior criminal history.
Hit-and-run accidents involving injuries carry more severe penalties. A hit-and-run with injury is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 5 years in state prison and fines of up to $10,000. These serious criminal consequences demonstrate why identifying the fleeing driver is so important.
Beyond criminal penalties, hit-and-run drivers face civil liability. Victims can pursue compensation for all damages caused by the accident. The fact that the driver fled strengthens your case by demonstrating consciousness of guilt. Understanding comparative fault in hit-and-run cases can help maximize your recovery.
Washington’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline applies whether the at-fault driver is identified or not. However, you should not wait to pursue your claim. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses move away, and memories fade. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case becomes. Learn more about time limits for filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a hit and run?
Call 911 to report the accident and request police response. Document the scene with photos and videos. Get contact information from any witnesses. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Contact your insurance company and report the accident. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company without consulting an attorney first. Learn more about what to do after a non-fault accident.
Can I recover compensation if the driver is never found?
Yes. Your uninsured motorist coverage provides compensation when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. This coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs helps you pursue maximum compensation under your policy.
How long do I have to file a hit-and-run claim?
Washington law provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, you should contact an attorney immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
What damages can I recover in a hit-and-run case?
You can recover economic damages, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and future medical care. You can also recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages may be available. Understanding compensation options is important for your case.
Will my insurance rates increase after a hit-and-run?
Hit and run accidents are not your fault, so your rates should not increase. Washington law prohibits insurers from raising rates for accidents where you are not at fault. If your insurer increases your rates, contact The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs for guidance on your options.
How does The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs investigate hit-and-run accidents?
Our team interviews witnesses, obtains surveillance footage, and works with law enforcement. We retrieve event data recorder information from your vehicle. Additionally, we conduct thorough accident reconstruction analysis and pursue every available lead to identify the fleeing driver. Our goal is to hold the at-fault driver accountable and recover full compensation for your injuries.
Get Help From The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs Today
Hit and run accidents create unique challenges, but you do not have to face them alone. The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs has the experience, resources, and determination to investigate your case thoroughly and pursue the compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations to discuss your situation and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.
Call (253) 588-6696 today to schedule your free consultation with a Lakewood hit and run lawyer. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you take the next step toward justice and recovery.
