Greenville Hit & Run Accident Lawyer

What to Do After a Hit & Run Accident in Greenville, SC

The moments following a hit-and-run are chaotic and terrifying. Because the at-fault driver is gone, preserving the scene and gathering evidence immediately is the only way to protect your future claim. You need to:

• Call law enforcement immediately: You absolutely must have an official police report documenting that the other driver fled the scene. This is a strict requirement for filing an Uninsured Motorist claim later.
• Document the scene of the crash: Take photos of everything before the cars are moved. Capture your vehicle's damage, any paint transfer from the fleeing car, shattered glass, and skid marks on the pavement.
• Identify potential witnesses: If anyone stopped to help, get their names and phone numbers immediately. They may have caught the fleeing vehicle's make, model, or partial license plate number.
• Seek emergency medical care: Go straight to the emergency room or urgent care. The adrenaline of a crash often masks severe injuries, and you need a doctor to formally document your physical condition right away.
• Protect your statement: You must notify your insurance company about the crash, but do not provide a recorded statement or accept a fast settlement offer. Tell them your attorney will be in touch.

What Are the Most Common Hit & Run Injuries

When a driver strikes your vehicle and flees, you are often left without immediate medical assistance, which can make your injuries significantly worse. We refuse to let insurance companies downplay the severe physical toll of these crashes.

We regularly demand maximum compensation for devastating injuries, including:

• Severe whiplash and debilitating neck trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries and severe concussions
• Spinal cord damage and herniated discs
• Crushed bones requiring surgical repair
• Internal bleeding and organ damage

How Long Do I Have to File a Hit & Run Claim

The clock starts ticking the moment the crash happens. In South Carolina, the statute of limitations strictly restricts how long you have to take legal action.

You have exactly 3 years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury lawsuit. But do not wait for the police to find the driver. However, your specific insurance policy will dictate a much shorter contractual deadline (often 30 to 90 days) to initially notify the insurer of the accident. Contact our skilled attorneys immediately so we can start our exhaustive investigation and begin building your case. You don’t want to lose out on maximum compensation because you missed the filing deadline.

Who Can Be Liable for a Hit & Run Accident in SC

In a standard crash, you file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance. In a hit-and-run, the process is much more complex, and we explore every single avenue to secure your financial recovery.

Potential sources of compensation include:

• The fleeing driver: We work alongside law enforcement, using traffic cameras and witness statements to identify the responsible individual. If caught, we will pursue their liability insurance directly.
• Your uninsured motorist (UM) policy: South Carolina law requires all drivers to carry UM coverage. When the at-fault driver cannot be found (or if they are found but do not have insurance), we aggressively pursue your own insurance company to ensure they pay out the policy you have been funding.

What Damages Can You Pursue After a Hit & Run

A hit-and-run can leave you with massive, unexpected costs. We meticulously calculate the total, lifelong impact of the collision to ensure you are not left paying out of pocket.

The law allows us to pursue compensation in several categories:

Monetary Damages

These cover your direct financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses:

• All emergency room bills, surgeries, and ongoing physical therapy
• Lost wages for the time you missed at work
• Future loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from doing your job
• The total cost to repair or replace your damaged vehicle

Nonmonetary Damages

These compensate you for the deeply personal toll the crash took on your life:

• Severe physical pain and ongoing daily suffering
• The emotional trauma and anxiety of being abandoned at the scene
• Loss of enjoyment of life and decreased mobility
• Loss of Consortium money damages for your spouse

Punitive Damages

Fleeing the scene of an injury accident is a crime in South Carolina. Because a hit-and-run demonstrates a gross, reckless disregard for human life, we often petition the court to award punitive damages. This is additional compensation designed specifically to punish the fleeing driver for their outrageous behavior.

#cta_start

Do Not Let Your Insurance Company Leave You Empty-Handed

Even your own insurance provider will look for ways to minimize your hit-and-run payout. We know exactly how to dismantle their excuses and force them to honor your policy.

Start Your Claim

#cta_end

Common Reasons Drivers Flee the Scene

People do not run from a crash unless they have something to hide. Our team understands the underlying factors of these collisions and how to use them to strengthen your case.

Hit-and-run drivers typically flee because they are:

• Driving under the influence: Intoxicated drivers flee to avoid a DUI arrest, hoping to sober up before the police track them down.
• Uninsured: Drivers without mandatory liability insurance risk massive out-of-pocket financial responsibility.
• Hiding from warrants: Individuals with active arrest warrants will speed away to avoid interacting with law enforcement.
• Driving on a suspended license: People who have already lost their driving privileges will flee to avoid further criminal charges and jail time.

Why Hire a Skilled Hit & Run Accident Attorney

With a hit and run crash, you are not just dealing with a standard car wreck; you are navigating a complex investigation and a potentially difficult Uninsured Motorist claim. Our fierce litigators know how to uncover the facts and hold insurance companies accountable.

Our dedicated legal team will protect your rights by:

• Hunting down footage: We immediately canvas the area to secure security camera and dashcam footage before businesses delete their daily recordings.
• Forcing your insurer's hand: Insurance companies often fight UM claims aggressively. We use hard evidence to prevent them from denying or lowballing your rightful payout.
• Tracking the evidence: We analyze the police reports, vehicle damage, and paint transfers to help identify the type of vehicle that struck you.
• Managing the legal chaos: We handle all the frustrating calls, paperwork, and aggressive negotiations so you can focus on healing.