Hit-and-Run Accidents

When the driver who caused your car accident flees the scene, you may feel unsure about what to do next. Hit-and-run crash accidents can have life-altering consequences, causing severe injuries or even the loss of a loved one. However, you may still be eligible to recover compensation—even if the at-fault driver is never identified.

Contact Collins Law, LLC, to schedule a free consultation with an experienced hit and run accident lawyer who will handle your case with the care, sensitivity, and determination it deserves.

What Qualifies as a Hit-and-Run in Alabama?

Leaving the scene of an accident in Alabama violates Alabama Code § 32-10-1, which requires drivers involved in crashes to stop, provide identification, and render reasonable assistance to injured parties. A hit-and-run occurs when a driver causes a collision and leaves the scene without fulfilling their legal responsibilities. Whether the accident involves another vehicle, a pedestrian, or property damage, fleeing the scene is a criminal offense that can result in serious penalties.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Hit-and-Run in Birmingham

Acting quickly after a hit-and-run increases your ability to identify the responsible driver and build a solid claim. The moments immediately following the incident present your best opportunity to gather evidence before it disappears. Every detail you capture could prove vital to tracking down the fleeing driver:

• Call 911 to report the hit and run immediately.
• Get medical attention even for seemingly minor injuries.
• Write down everything you remember about the vehicle.
• Note the license plate number if you saw it.
• Describe the driver’s appearance and clothing.
• Look for witnesses who saw the accident.
• Take photos of your injuries and vehicle damage.
• Document the accident scene and road conditions.
• Check nearby businesses for surveillance cameras.
• Request a copy of the police report.
• Contact your insurance company promptly.
• Reach out to a hit-and-run accident lawyer.

Why Hit-and-Run Cases Are Different — and Harder to Win Alone

Hit-and-run claims present unique challenges that don’t exist in other accident cases where both parties remain at the scene. Without a cooperative defendant, you face obstacles that require professional investigation and legal skill to overcome. These cases require immediate action because evidence deteriorates rapidly and witnesses become increasingly difficult to locate over time. Common challenges include:

• Absence of Direct Evidence – The fleeing driver leaves behind no insurance information, contact details, or admission of fault, forcing you to piece together fragments of evidence to establish who caused the collision and prove their liability.
• Lack of Voluntary Confession – Fleeing drivers don’t exchange information and acknowledge their involvement. Hit and run perpetrators deliberately conceal their identity, requiring extensive investigation through surveillance footage, paint transfer analysis, and witness canvassing.
• Insurance Company Disputed Liability – Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, but insurers often challenge hit-and-run claims by questioning whether the accident really occurred as described or arguing you contributed to the collision.
• Difficulty Gathering Evidence – Physical evidence disappears quickly as roads are cleaned, damaged vehicles are repaired, and memories fade, making prompt, professional investigation essential to preserve evidence before it vanishes forever.

Building a successful hit-and-run case requires resources most victims don’t have on their own. We deploy investigators, work with law enforcement, analyze forensic evidence, and pursue every lead to identify the responsible party. Our experience handling these complex claims gives you the best chance of finding the driver and recovering compensation.

How Our Birmingham Hit-and-Run Lawyers Can Help

At Collins Law, LLC, our hit-and-run accident lawyers take immediate action to investigate your hit-and-run accident while the evidence remains fresh and witnesses recall details clearly. Our legal team has the resources, relationships, and determination to track down fleeing drivers even when police investigations stall.

We work unceasingly to identify the at-fault party and pursue every available avenue for your recovery. Here are a few ways we help victims of hit-and-run car accidents:

• Conduct independent accident investigations.
• Interview witnesses before memories fade.
• Review surveillance footage from nearby cameras.
• Work with accident reconstruction experts.
• Coordinate with law enforcement agencies.
• Examine paint transfer and vehicle debris.
• Help you file claims with your uninsured motorist coverage.
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies.
• Pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
• Handle all legal paperwork and deadlines.
• Represent you in court if necessary.

Our approach combines traditional investigative methods with modern technology to uncover answers. Your case deserves the same relentless pursuit of justice that we bring to every client we represent.

Compensation You Can Recover After a Hit-and-Run

The value of your hit and run claim depends on injury severity, medical treatment needs, impact on your ability to work, available insurance coverage, and how the accident altered your quality of life. Alabama Code § 6-5-530 permits recovery of both economic losses and non-economic damages, which represent your intangible losses.

We calculate the full cost of your injuries by considering immediate expenses and long-term consequences that will affect you for months or years to come:

• Emergency room and hospital bills.
• Surgery and specialized treatments.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Prescription medications and medical devices.
• Lost wages from missed work.
• Reduced earning capacity if permanently disabled.
• Property damage and vehicle repairs.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress and anxiety.
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Future medical expenses.

Insurance companies often lowball hit-and-run victims, hoping you’ll accept quick settlements that don’t cover your actual damages. We fight back by documenting every loss you’ve suffered and demonstrating the true financial and personal toll the accident has taken on your life. Our thorough case preparation forces insurers to recognize the full value of your car accident claim and pay what you genuinely deserve.

What If the Driver Is Never Caught?

You still have options for recovery, even when the hit-and-run driver remains unidentified. Our personal injury lawyers help you review your own insurance policy for coverage designed for accidents involving unknown or uninsured motorists. We can help you access these benefits and pursue compensation through alternative sources by:

• Filing an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance.
• Reviewing all available insurance policies for coverage.
• Checking for underinsured motorist protection.
• Exploring MedPay or PIP coverage for medical bills.
• Investigating whether any other party shares liability.
• Pursuing claims against property owners if applicable.
• Documenting all losses for insurance purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hit-and-Run Accidents in AL

Do I need a lawyer for a hit-and-run accident in Alabama?

Hit-and-run cases involve complex investigations, challenging insurance negotiations, and legal hurdles that victims often cannot navigate effectively on their own. A lawyer brings investigative resources, insurance knowledge, and negotiation skills that dramatically improve your chances of identifying the driver and recovering fair compensation. Without legal representation, you risk accepting inadequate settlements or missing crucial deadlines that could destroy your claim.

How long do I have to file a hit-and-run claim in Birmingham?

Alabama’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Still, you should contact a hit-and-run accident attorney immediately rather than waiting. Evidence disappears quickly in hit-and-run cases, and insurance policies often require prompt notification of claims. Delays in seeking legal help significantly reduce the likelihood of finding the responsible driver and recovering compensation.

Will my insurance go up after a hit-and-run?

Your rates may increase when you file an uninsured motorist claim. However, Alabama law provides some protections against premium hikes for not-at-fault accidents. We can review your policy language and discuss options to minimize the impact on your insurance costs.

What if I were hit while walking or biking?

If you are run over by a car or hit by a car as a pedestrian or cyclist, you have the same rights to compensation as vehicle occupants injured in hit-and-run accidents. Your case may actually be stronger because pedestrian accident claims often involve more severe injuries that justify higher settlements. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can help you figure out how much your case is worth.

How do I find the driver who hit me?

Professional investigation makes the difference between finding the driver and never getting answers. We employ investigators who canvas the area for witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, and coordinate with police to identify suspects through vehicle descriptions and partial plate information.

Why Choose Collins Law, LLC for Your Birmingham Hit-and-Run Case?

We are the voice you need and provide the attention you deserve. Collins Law, LLC stands up for victims who’ve suffered personal injustice and refuse to let reckless drivers escape accountability. Our mission is centered on delivering personalized attention, sharp legal advocacy, and the powerful representation that accident victims need to obtain fair compensation.

When you hire us, you receive comprehensive support from a dedicated legal team committed to your well-being and recovery. We maintain open communication throughout your case, prioritizing your needs above all else.

Get Help From a Birmingham Hit-and-Run Lawyer Today

Don’t let a fleeing driver rob you of the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Call Collins Law, LLC, or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer in Birmingham who will investigate your case, pursue the responsible party, and fight for maximum recovery.