A hit-and-run accident doesn’t just leave physical injuries behind — it leaves confusion, anger, and a lot of unanswered questions. One moment everything is normal. The next, you’re hurt, shaken, and watching the driver responsible disappear down the road.
What comes after is often just as frustrating. Medical bills start arriving. Work becomes difficult or impossible. And somehow, despite doing nothing wrong, you’re the one left trying to piece everything together. That’s why hit-and-run injury cases are rarely simple — and why legal guidance matters.
What Is Considered a Hit-and-Run?
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver causes an accident and leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or help the injured. These accidents commonly involve:
- Pedestrians or cyclists
- Rear-end or intersection crashes
- Parked vehicles
- Serious or fatal collisions
Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a crime in Illinois. But even when the law is clear, identifying the driver — and recovering compensation — is often anything but.
Why Hit-and-Run Cases Are So Complicated
The At-Fault Driver Is Often Never Found
When the responsible driver disappears, traditional injury claims don’t apply. Instead, victims often must rely on uninsured motorist coverage through their own insurance policy — a process that surprises many people.
What’s worse? These claims are frequently disputed.
Insurance Companies Push Back Hard
When you file an uninsured motorist claim, your insurer effectively becomes the opposing party. Adjusters may question:
- Whether the crash was truly a hit-and-run
- Whether your injuries are related
- Whether treatment was “necessary”
Without strong documentation and advocacy, valid claims can stall or be undervalued.
Evidence Disappears Quickly
Hit-and-run cases rely heavily on early investigation. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Witnesses vanish. Physical evidence disappears.
Key evidence may include:
- Traffic or business cameras
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Vehicle debris or paint transfer
- Dashcam or phone footage
The sooner someone starts looking, the better the chances of preserving proof.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Helps After a Hit-and-Run
Investigating the Accident
A skilled attorney doesn’t wait to see what happens. They actively investigate, gather evidence, and identify all possible paths to compensation — even when the driver isn’t found.
Handling Uninsured Motorist Claims
Uninsured motorist claims aren’t routine paperwork. They require proof, strategy, and persistence. A lawyer helps ensure the claim reflects the real impact of the injuries — not just what an insurance company wants to pay.
Identifying Other Sources of Liability
Sometimes the fleeing driver isn’t the only responsible party. Depending on the facts, liability may involve:
- An employer, if the driver was working
- A property owner with poor lighting or unsafe design
- A government entity responsible for roadway conditions
These angles are often missed without legal insight.
Injuries Common in Hit-and-Run Accidents
Because hit-and-run drivers often flee at speed, injuries are frequently severe, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Wrongful death
The financial and personal consequences can be long-lasting.
Why Experience Matters in Hit-and-Run Cases
Hit-and-run cases demand more than basic claims handling. They require:
- Knowledge of Illinois uninsured motorist law
- Experience dealing with insurance disputes
- Willingness to litigate if necessary
- A realistic assessment of long-term damages
Without experienced representation, injured victims are often pressured into settlements that fall far short of what they need.
Before You Accept Any Offer, Get Answers
If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Orland Park or western Chicagoland, it’s important to pause before accepting an insurance settlement.
At the Law Offices of Michael J. Brennan, cases are handled personally from start to finish. Clients receive straightforward advice, direct communication, and advocacy focused on protecting their recovery — not rushing resolution.
Free consultation. No legal fees unless compensation is recovered.
If you or a loved one was injured in a hit-and-run accident, a conversation with a personal injury attorney can help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
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